Adapting to Climate Change
There was a great story on NPR this morning about a woman farming in the Amazon Delta. Ketzal Levines words as they tramped through the rain forest were, “We aren’t making a path to her farm we are in it.” This Brazilian woman has planted things within the forest that she can harvest to support her family and make a living. She did not cut the forest down to do it. She adapted her plants to the forest.
There is a theory that the entire eastern part North America was one big farm in the time of the Native Americans. This theory says that they were not just hunter-gatherers but managers of the land. I don’t know how true this is. It does make a model for a more sustainable agriculture. Would that kind of agriculture sustain our way of life? Probably not. Going back to the stone age is most likely not the only solution to climate change. The Dutch are saying they may have to “let some water in”. The Venetians are looking at building better flood gates. One way accomodates nature, the other fights it. Perhaps we can just live in a world of concrete and tempered glass with hydroponic plants and cloned livestock that doesn’t eat much. Is that really so different from managing a forest to provide sustenance?
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
Showing posts with label Climate change and land use. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Climate change and land use. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Now You See It, Now You Don't
Now You See It, Now You Don’t
I think we all expect to lose a little beachfront and maybe an ice cap or two from climate change. Who would think we can lose a whole country? It might happen in Maldives. The chain of islands (country) is only a few feet above sea level. NPR “Morning Edition” did a feature on it this morning (1/28/08). They say some people have already been moved to other Islands.
During the big Tsunami, there was an instant when the whole country was submerged. Concrete sea walls have been built in some places. They are ugly. Tourism is a major industry in Maldive. Ugly does not draw tourists. In one case they have built an artificial island. This one is a little higher and drier; so it doesn’t need a sea wall.
I found an Island you can buy for only 5,500,000. It is being developed into a resort. Access will be by boat with luxury cabins. The boats will moor in the harbor and serve as a floating hotel. I guess that is fine as long as the beach is above water. Perhaps the boat can just move to another island. Anyone want to put 5,500,000 on the ocean floor?
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
I think we all expect to lose a little beachfront and maybe an ice cap or two from climate change. Who would think we can lose a whole country? It might happen in Maldives. The chain of islands (country) is only a few feet above sea level. NPR “Morning Edition” did a feature on it this morning (1/28/08). They say some people have already been moved to other Islands.
During the big Tsunami, there was an instant when the whole country was submerged. Concrete sea walls have been built in some places. They are ugly. Tourism is a major industry in Maldive. Ugly does not draw tourists. In one case they have built an artificial island. This one is a little higher and drier; so it doesn’t need a sea wall.
I found an Island you can buy for only 5,500,000. It is being developed into a resort. Access will be by boat with luxury cabins. The boats will moor in the harbor and serve as a floating hotel. I guess that is fine as long as the beach is above water. Perhaps the boat can just move to another island. Anyone want to put 5,500,000 on the ocean floor?
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http://www.segrestrealty.com His email is david@segrestrealty.com
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Winners and Losers of Climate Change
Winners and Losers of Climate Change
Often when we buy real estate we have a long hold plan and a specific use for the property. With the current speed of climate change, perhaps the likely conditions for the target area should be studied before the purchase is made.
In England farmers are able to grow new crops because of warmer weather and a longer growing season. The German vintners who make “Ice wine” have had to keep looking further and further north to obtain the frozen grapes used in that process. Central America and the Southern tip of Mexico are located between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, which are major weather pattern creators. The weather phenomenon in these areas has already intensified. Combined with poor land use in the past this is causing mudslides, severe flooding, and increased susceptibility to hurricanes.
Many of the dry areas of the world are getting dryer. Many of the wet areas are getting wetter. If sea level rises will the beautiful beachfront property be beachfront or ocean bottom? Do we need to add a climatologist to our list of helpful professionals when we buy real estate?
For a preview you can go to http://www.npr.org/news/specials/climate/interactive/?ps=bb5
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http:www.segrestrealty.com .
Often when we buy real estate we have a long hold plan and a specific use for the property. With the current speed of climate change, perhaps the likely conditions for the target area should be studied before the purchase is made.
In England farmers are able to grow new crops because of warmer weather and a longer growing season. The German vintners who make “Ice wine” have had to keep looking further and further north to obtain the frozen grapes used in that process. Central America and the Southern tip of Mexico are located between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, which are major weather pattern creators. The weather phenomenon in these areas has already intensified. Combined with poor land use in the past this is causing mudslides, severe flooding, and increased susceptibility to hurricanes.
Many of the dry areas of the world are getting dryer. Many of the wet areas are getting wetter. If sea level rises will the beautiful beachfront property be beachfront or ocean bottom? Do we need to add a climatologist to our list of helpful professionals when we buy real estate?
For a preview you can go to http://www.npr.org/news/specials/climate/interactive/?ps=bb5
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte NC. His website is http:www.segrestrealty.com .
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Climate Change and International Real Estate
Climate Change and International Real Estate
As I write today the “Mayan Riviera” is being pounded by Hurricane Dean. This is a category 5 hurricane. The area just recovered from Hurricane Wilma. No one really knows if climate change is responsible for increased hurricane intensity or if it is just a cyclical thing. We do know that climates are changing. Climate change will have to affect land uses.
The variety of crops that are planted is already changing in England and many of the Scandinavian countries. Fish migrations are changing. As the polar ice packs break up, new areas will become habitable. Other areas may become less desirable. The Sahara desert was once a fertile plain. Some of the “improvements” that come with habitation are actually causing some of the problems.
Draining the swamps in Florida has affected the aquifer that supplies water to most of the southeast. The drought conditions cause seasonal wildfires. Channeling the Mississippi has increased the intensity and destructiveness of the floods. Many of the causes of climate change are irreversible. All that most of us can do is react. There are things we can do to reduce greenhouse emissions. The behavior changes that are needed to effect real change may cost more than we are willing to pay.
As people move to the wilderness to avoid overcrowding and pollution, the over crowding and pollution follows. Is climate change a “market landmark”? What will happen where? How can savvy investors benefit from the changes? What can we do personally to avoid destroying our habitat?
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte, NC
David S. Segrest, CIPS, CCIM, TRC, CEA
david@segrestrealty.com
http://www.segrestrealty.com
Serving the world in the Carolinas, Serving the Carolinas in the World
As I write today the “Mayan Riviera” is being pounded by Hurricane Dean. This is a category 5 hurricane. The area just recovered from Hurricane Wilma. No one really knows if climate change is responsible for increased hurricane intensity or if it is just a cyclical thing. We do know that climates are changing. Climate change will have to affect land uses.
The variety of crops that are planted is already changing in England and many of the Scandinavian countries. Fish migrations are changing. As the polar ice packs break up, new areas will become habitable. Other areas may become less desirable. The Sahara desert was once a fertile plain. Some of the “improvements” that come with habitation are actually causing some of the problems.
Draining the swamps in Florida has affected the aquifer that supplies water to most of the southeast. The drought conditions cause seasonal wildfires. Channeling the Mississippi has increased the intensity and destructiveness of the floods. Many of the causes of climate change are irreversible. All that most of us can do is react. There are things we can do to reduce greenhouse emissions. The behavior changes that are needed to effect real change may cost more than we are willing to pay.
As people move to the wilderness to avoid overcrowding and pollution, the over crowding and pollution follows. Is climate change a “market landmark”? What will happen where? How can savvy investors benefit from the changes? What can we do personally to avoid destroying our habitat?
David Segrest is a REALTOR in Charlotte, NC
David S. Segrest, CIPS, CCIM, TRC, CEA
david@segrestrealty.com
http://www.segrestrealty.com
Serving the world in the Carolinas, Serving the Carolinas in the World
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