: Writing 122
In the instructor instructions there is everything explained. I’m leaving open about the nature thing, you can choose what to talk on.
ANSWER
Nature in Multnomah County
Multnomah County consists of vast natural resources that require conservation and care for them to continue to exist. Conservation of the natural resources and maintaining a quality environment are essential for the county to be livable. The county consists of many natural resources from its rivers, streams, wetlands, the wildlife habitat in the west hills and East County to the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge (Makido et al). The protection of all these natural resources is essential to the quality of life as natural resources protect the breath of fresh air. However, the county is faced with climate change in the 21st century like any other part of the world. Climate change poses a great threat to the natural resources of Multnomah County and also poses a threat to the jobs and health of the citizens.
The health impacts of the climatic changes mostly affect the vulnerable members of the community. The people of color and low-income communities already experience poor health and disparities in Portland, and the climatic changes will make the disparities worse. Some scientists think that the climatic changes can be used as a channel to create job opportunities and make money in Portland (Makido et al). The money can be made through and during the transition to a low-carbon community. The switch to low-carbon can be used to create jobs and benefit all the residents, but failure to switch and curb the climatic changes can lead to serious economic problems as the county is likely to experience more forest fires, floods, droughts, rainstorms, and landslides. Multnomah County has started programs to reduce its carbon footprint to prevent the effects of climatic change and protect its natural resources.
Climate change in the Pacific Northwest threatens agriculture, water supplies, and natural resources such as forests. The destruction of resources such as water supplies and agriculture automatically leads to the destruction of the economy. The county is experiencing an increase in temperature by about 1.5 degrees over the last century. To reduce the effects of climate change, some of the factors that should be considered are the reduction of carbon emissions, and such programs are already in play in Multnomah County. Human activities are the most significant contributors to an increase in carbon emissions, and therefore the county is developing measures to curb the carbon emissions by leveling the playing field. The city is working to create other transport options such as bikes by creating bike lanes (Fink 17). Improving access to parks and other natural resources also improve and curbs pollution levels.
The people of Multnomah County are also learning that climate change cannot be curbed by the government only and that businesses, institutions, and non-profit organizations need to chip in and help the government with the carbon reduction initiatives. The choices people make daily help reduce or increase their carbon footprint. Therefore, the people of Multnomah County should be aware of the effects of their decisions and make it their business to ensure that their activities are not increasing carbon emissions (Fink 18). Multnomah County and Portland at large are making steps towards conserving the environment and ensuring that the carbon emissions are low, and therefore they are on the frontline of ensuring that the effects of climate change do not affect their citizens and their country. It is also clear that catastrophe can be prevented by controlling carbon emissions.
Works Cited
Fink, Jonathan H. “Contrasting governance learning processes of climate-leading and-lagging cities: Portland, Oregon, and Phoenix, Arizona, USA.” Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning 21.1 (2019): 16-29.
Makido, Yasuyo, Dana Hellman, and Vivek Shandas. “Nature-based designs to mitigate urban heat: The efficacy of green infrastructure treatments in Portland, Oregon.” Atmosphere 10.5 (2019): 282.
