Author: Lacey (Page 3 of 6)

Source Entry 1
Eric Zerkel, Mary Gilbert and Aya Elamroussi “Record rain in New York City generates ‘life-threatening’ flooding, overwhelming streets and subways.” CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/29/weather/new-york-city-northeast-rain-flood-forecast-climate-friday/index.html. Accessed 10/10/2023.

Summary and Representative Quotes
“Record rain in New York City generates ‘life-threatening’ flooding, overwhelming streets, and subways.” CNN.
A new record high of rain fell upon New York City on the 10/29/2023 causing surging flood waters through streets, houses, subways, buildings, and schools. It was recorded that more rain fell in three hours than would in an entire month in parts of New York City. According to the authors (Eric Zerkel, Mary Gilbert and Aya Elamroussi) up to 8 inches of rain fell in John F Kennedy International Airport which was only recorded before in 1948. Flood water affected all three of New York Cities airports causing the suspension of flights. The authors purported in the article that climate change and the warming of the atmosphere were the main contributors to the problem of flooding which I quoted from this statement “The prolific totals are a symptom of climate change, scientists say, with a warmer atmosphere acting like a massive sponge, able to sop up more water vapor and then wring it out in intense spurts which can easily overwhelm outdated flood protections.” Floodwater spilled into the subways and railways and caused the suspension of 10 train lines. Service to some lines resumed later that night. In the aftermath of the flooding 150 schools were recorded to have flooded and the firefighters were successful in rescuing six families from flooded basements and this flooding occurrence ended with no major incidents and fatalities. The New York City’s Chief Climate Officer, Rohit Aggarwal, put forward an explanation for the flooding in his statement, “the sad reality is our climate is changing faster than our infrastructure can respond”. The New York water system was developed in the 1800’s when there was only a population of three million, now we are a population of 8.8 million with the same water system.

Reflection and Rhetoric Analysis
For my source entry one of my annotated bibliography my topic “The emergence of frequent flooding in New York City, what can be done to fix it and what is the cause,” I chose a current and relatable occurrence of the flooding that happened on the 09/29/2023. New York city’s sewer system was overwhelmed with flood water as more rain fell in one day than what will be the total for a month in some parts of New York. New York City’s Climate Officer, Rohit Agarwala offered this explanation for the flooding, “Overall, as we know, this changing weather pattern is the result of climate change.” Everyone immediately resolves to blame climate change for the flooding problem but what exactly is this? Global warming is the global change in weather patterns which started to occur in the mid twentieth century. The use of greenhouse gases and the burning of fossil fuels have caused the buildup of these toxic, carbon gases that are eroding and making holes in our ozone layer. This depletion of the ozone layer is causing the temperature to rise in the atmosphere as well as on the earth’s surface which has the trickle-down effect of more frequent and extreme weather patterns. For example, the glaciers in the North and South Poles are breaking of a melting causing sea levels to rise, severe hurricanes, wildfires, droughts, floods, and increased rain because the heat causes increased amounts of water to be evaporated causing more rain clouds. This extreme weather is adversely affecting vegetation throughout the world, crops become waterlogged, or they experience drought resulting in a reduced harvest and resulting in everyday consumers paying more because of fewer goods. One noted improvement is from the mayor’s office where in the article it was said a state of emergency was declared in New York City, Long Island and Hudson Valley Friday morning which was a decision that must be applauded. New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents to stay at home which was definitely a timely decision that ensured the safety of the residents if they got the warning in time. I was also altered to the dependency of the New York City residents on the subway, railways, and train systems. One of the first infrastructures to be affected by the flooding. We cannot control when, where or how much it will rain but with the advancement of the meteorological services and universities, schools’ administration and employers if warned in enough time can instruct their students and workers to stay at home to avoid being stranded for transportation because the subways flood first causing the cessation of service.

Conclusion
My research so far from this article has shown me that the flooding situation is progressively getting worse in New York City. However, the mayor’s office, police, firefighters, and emergency responders are adapting to the extremes in these weather conditions. They are aware of the people who are in the most danger, like residents living in basements, and they are responding faster to assist them if need be. However, the personal responsibility of each person i.e. each person carbon footprint and how we can reduce it to help our environment was not addressed in no way. How we can help to improve our climate by our action was not addressed. I think that just as the adverse conditions are reported these media house should make citizens more aware of what they can collectively do to help alleviate the flooding crisis. Locations of recycling plants implore people to use less plastic which is one of the biggest contributors to flooding and encourage people to go green and use electric vehicles instead of gas vehicles. Advertise the initiatives of the government for people to be better informed about the process of switching to electric cars.

Homework 10/03
In my younger years what stands out to me the most in my interests were my hopes to become a Petroleum Engineer. I was around eight or nine when during a Social-Studies class I learned about petroleum and natural gas. I learned that my country, Trinidad and Tobago, was an exporter of petroleum, petroleum by-products, natural gas, and crude oil. In addition, I learned that professionals in this field were highly paid, and I started doing my own research into this area and my curiosity made me want to study this further even at a university level. My father was another source of reference for me, I asked him endless questions about the petroleum industry that resulted in him taking me to see our biggest oil refinery plant at Point Lisas Estate that made me delve into my research more. All true high school this was still my goal and dream to be a Petroleum Engineer but as faith had it, I started working at the age of eighteen and ended up in the field of telecommunication. This became my new obsession and curiosity. I wanted to learn how everything worked and even as a trainee I aspired to be in the highest position, a Telecommunication Engineer, one day. The desire to learn more about the field I was working in drove me to attain a college diploma from the University of Trinidad and Tobago. I attained a Diploma in Computer, Network and Telecommunication Engineering and it is with this diploma I became a transfer student at New York City College of Technology, at present. My current aim is to graduate with my Bachelor in Computer Systems and apply and get a job in the field of telecommunications or Information Technology within the next year to two years. My journey is far from over, but my education has been a place of comfort to grow and learn and almost like a beacon that shines into the future laying a path for me.