CLIMATE

Climate Change Can Affect Security Environment, Hagel Says

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=123393

Banusiewicz, John D. "United States Department of Defense." Defense.gov News Article: Climate Change Can Affect Security Environment, Hagel Says. Defense Media Activity, 12 Oct. 2014. Web. 01 Dec. 2014. <http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=123393>.

• What portion or portions of this information do you accept as sound science? What portion or portions, if any, do you question? Give three reasons you question it or them.

The article I choose to read is based on the environment and climate change and how the weather can affect security of our country. I think that Hagel, the Defense secretary makes very valid points in regards to our security being at risk if the sea levels rise. I do feel that he is correct in his theory that if sea levels rise we do have more of a threat of security due to use competing to take the resources ourselves, fighting against other nations who too would want control of them. I do feel that this is not necessarily sound science because although he makes a very good theory, there are no reports that he makes reference to that the sea levels are truly rising and he has no idea of the time frame this may happen in. I feel like it would be much stronger theory if there was some evidence linked to the idea that how security is at risk.

• What can you do (given the time and energy) to find answers to your questions?  If you do not question any portion or portions, give three reasons you accept the information. Is it peer-reviewed, etc.

The best thing that  I can do to answer my questions is to research more about the Arctic sea levels and what the history has been in regards to ice melting and sea levels rising. I could also research to see if there were any other situations that are similar to this one either proving or disproving the idea that a nations security is at risk due to new evolving resources. I could also try to figure who would be the biggest threat to our security and see if there was any way to come up with a partnership to deflect any upsets nations who too would benefit from the natural resources that could possibly be created from the sea levels rising. I could also get a team of my own scientists and go to the Arctic to measure the actual level of ice that is currently there and compare it to the ice in the past. I would also research what resources that are in the area and what nations would benefit from them most.

• Answer this question: Does having a background in Environmental Biology help you make decisions about what information about the environment you will accept? Explain.

I think having a background in Environmental biology helps me make more of an educated decision on what I feel is accurate and not accurate because it makes you question every theory or idea that is presented and makes you want to do your own research to make sure that its truly accurate.

Elwha River

 

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Elwha_river_dams.gif

 

 

https://bethechange2012.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/elwhariver.png

October 2014: Elwha River
The Elwha River is a 45-mile river on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. The rivers main source of water comes from Elwha Snowfinger near Mount Barnes which is a mountain range in Olympic National Park, in Jefferson County. The river flows southeast and the turns northward for the rest of its course.
Reasons for Building Elwha Dam
Thomas Aldwell, an entrepreneur saw the river as an economic opportunity; the river and its narrow gorges. He simply wanted to capture this raw, massive energy. This is how the idea of a hydroelectric dam came into play. Aldwell had financial backing from Chicago Investors, who created the Olympic Power Company. After plans were created construction of the dam began in 1910 and took three years to construct before it was creating energy. In 1913 the dam was the source of power for the pulp mill in Port Angeles.
Reasons for Removing Elwha Dam
The Elwha dam presented many problems for the surrounding area. Things like sediment and silt blockage behind the dam, erosion of the river banks and effects on a large portion of the park and the people who once relied on the fish populations for sustenance. Elwha river was known for some of richest runs of salmon outside of Alaska. Because Aldwell cut corners on the dam there was a lack of passage ways for migrating salmon. The salmon that once numbered more than 400,000 fish returns in over 70 miles of available habitat is now less than 4,000 fish on only 4.9 miles. The removal of the dam is the only viable option for full restoration of the river and the habitat.
 Ecology
Two special animals of the Elwha River are the Sockeye Salmon and the Bull Trout. The Sockeye Salmon are currently thought to be extinct in the Elwha.
Current Use
Today both dams are gone and the Lake Mills and Lake Aldwell reservoirs have drained. The river flows freely now. The sediment that was once trapped behind the dams is now rebuilding critical river and near shore habitats.
Current Threats
Through my research I could not find any current threat in regards to the Elwha River. Most of the threats were caused when the dam was in place.