Category: Flood

Introduction

In human life, religion is an aspect that has been widely accepted by many people. The importance of religion in human life cannot be underestimated. This is because religion informs the beliefs of many people across the globe. There are many religions that exist in this world. These religions cut across different cultures and nations across the globe. Each religion is unique. This is informed by the different aspects which are associated with the principles and the doctrines which are aligned to these religions.

Sociologists describe religion as a system of beliefs that have been institutionalized. These systems of beliefs exist in the form of symbols and values which are encapsulated in the doctrines, which are geared to providing solutions to the ultimate meaning of life in men. It is worth noting that despite the fact that religion is considered to be a personal aspect, it plays a critical social role. Thus, some of the functions of religion include playing the role of explaining individual suffering. Secondly, religion enhances self-importance, that is, when man opts to associate himself and unite himself with infinite beings one is assured of afterlife rewards. Thirdly, religion enhances social cohesion. In this case, it provides the common denominator for bringing people together. Fourthly, religion enhances social welfare in this case religion has enhanced the social values of the human race. Lastly, religion has a role to play with regard to social control. In this case, it ensures human beings are able to view life from a positivistic perspective.

The Author

The author under reflection is Gavin Flood. Gavin is a scholar who has worked widely in the field of comparative religion. He has specialized in the studies which reflect the on goings in the south Asian region of the world. Currently he is the academic director at the Oxford Center for Hindu studies. His research interests are varied, though he has major biases in the sacred texts and phenomenology. He has worked on several books and published widely on the subject. Among his books he has worked on include, An Introduction to Hinduism, Beyond Phenomenology: Rethinking the Study of religion and The Tantric Body.

Book review

Despite the many views and approaches of life, the subject of religion still remains a mystery of religion. In essence there is need to carry out more research in this field in order to be able to establish the role and the importance of religion in the life of human beings. Gavin Flood gives a glimpse of the role of religion in the modern times. This is done through his book, The importance of Religion. This book gives an illumination of the fundamental importance of religion in this age. Furthermore this book gives a glimpse into the meaning of religion in the lives of the human beings in these modern times. Through this book, we are able to learn that religion is not about beliefs alone rather it also includes the provision of inspiration into the realities of the times. This is enhanced through the provision of several aspects in terms of the meaning of death, the importance of dying plus the general aspects of the position of religion in the 21^st century.

Evaluation of the usefulness of the book

This book enables the reader to understand the definition of the term religion. This refutes the argument that religion has no applicability outside of the West and the consequent absurd claims that, for example, there is no religion in South Asia. The general aim of this book is to present a general account of religion as an avenue which is used in mediating the human encounter with mystery or the invisible, as a human quest for meaning, and as an impulse towards transcendence.

In addition, through this book, the reader is able to come to terms with the definition or rather the meaning of religion action. In this case, the book brings to the fore the importance of religion as it lies in this impulse towards transcendence. Furthermore, rather than being explained purely through science or politics, this book brings to the fore the fact that religions are kinds of actions which express the quest for understanding life and the desire to go beyond the human limits. This enables the reader to understand that while religions exist within cultures, it also arguable that they show us something about human beings to a point which is outside of the culture. There is a reality that human beings encounter which enables the reader to appreciate religion as a cultural form which mediates the human religions experiences with mystery. In this case, one can substitute the term mystery with words such as invisible, and transcendence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to note from the practitioners point that religions are not primarily abstract systems but lived realities which are experienced within subjectivity, within the body, within the community, and in the messy cut and thrust of history and human life. Essentially, through this book one can learn that religion is a way of life, a way of living in the human body, which encounters and responds to the raw fact of being, to the human condition, concerned with the formation of transcendent or sublime meaning that offer explanations of, and sometimes solutions to, suffering and death. Essentially, a reader is left with the satisfaction that religions are ways in the world which make strong claims and demands upon people. And while they are concerned with socialization, they primarily function to address questions of ultimate meaning at a bodily and temporal level in which human beings make sense of their experiences. This refutes the notion that religion is absurd, or sounds absurd to the modern ears. This is not the case since it quite clear that religion continues to hold great power and influence over billions of people who cannot simply be dismissed as irrational or deluded. Despite the fact that churches across Europe seem to be emptying, what stands out is the fact that religion is still appreciated all over the world.

Flood is one of the most dangerous natural disasters. It happens when excessive water is collected in any area. It usually happens due to heavy rainfall. India is highly prone to flood. There are many regions in the country that face this natural disaster because of the overflowing of rivers. Moreover, it also happens because of the melting of snow. Another reason for floods is when the dam breaks down. If we look at the coastal areas, the hurricanes and tsunamis are held responsible for causing floods. In this essay on flood, we will see the prevention and after-affect of flood.

In other words, whatever the cause may be, it is equally dangerous. It has a lot of harmful consequences. Flood damages the living conditions and it takes a lot of time to recover from this disaster. Therefore, the consequences of floods must be known and steps must be taken to prevent it.

Floods interrupt with the day to day functioning of the affected area. The severe floods sometimes cause mass destruction. A lot of people and animals lose their lives due to floods. Several others are injured. Floods also bring a rise in diseases. The stagnant water attracts mosquitoes causing malaria, dengue, and more illnesses.

Furthermore, people face power cuts due to the danger of electrocution. They also have to face expensive pricing. As the supply of food and goods gets limited, the prices naturally grow higher. This creates a big problem for the common man.

Most importantly, the whole country faces economic loss. The resources needed to rescue people and tackle this disaster demands a hefty amount. Plus, the citizens lose their houses and cars which they worked all their lives for.

Subsequently, floods also hamper the environment. It causes soil erosion and this degrades the quality of the soil. We lose out on fertile soil. Similarly, floods also damage flora and fauna. They damage crops and displace trees. Thus, the measure should be taken to avoid these grave consequences.

The government and citizens must work together to formulate ways to prevent floods. Proper awareness must be spread about the steps to take when floods occur. Warning systems must be set up so people get sufficient time to save themselves. In addition, areas that are more likely to have floods must have tall buildings above the flood level.

Further, there should be an efficient system for storing excessive water due to rain. This will prevent the overflowing of water. One of the most important steps is to strengthen the drainage system. This can avoid water logging which will prevent floods.

Other than that, dams must be constructed strongly. The use of cheap materials causes dams to break. The government must ensure there is a quality building of dams to prevent floods.

In short, we cannot prevent natural causes like rain and the melting of glaciers. However, we can stop the manmade causes like breaking of dams, poor drainage system, installing warning systems and more. We should take inspiration from countries like Singapore that never experience floods despite having heavy rainfall for most time of the year.

Did the Flood Really Happen?

This is a question a lot of people ask and most scientists say no. To them, the flood does not fit in with their nonbiblical view and their six-million-year-old earth. Scientists believe that the Colorado River carved out the Grand Canyon over thousands of years and that dinosaurs died from a global catastrophe like a meteor strike. I learned in youth group; most religions include some form of a great flood. However, the many religions and legends involving some form of a flood are not scientific ways to prove the flood and will be left out. I think this event is interesting because even though those religions are false, there is a grain of truth hidden in them. The Flood did happen, and its occurrence can be proven. There are many pieces of evidence that prove the flood did occur; however, I find this evidence of the Flood interesting. It can only be explained in one rational way. We all know that fish live in water, so why are there fish well preserve hundreds of feet above sea level in a mountain? At one point in time, the mountain was underwater. The Flood can easily account for the many mountains with marine life buried in them. Genesis 7:20-21 states, ‘The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of fifteen cubits. ^21^Every living thing that moved on land perished-birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind.’ According to those two verses, the mountains were underwater, and no man, livestock, or bug could walk on top of them without drowning. Only a fish could get to the mountains without dying. That is exactly what we find up there, dead fish. The only way for a fish to be preserved well is for it to be buried rapidly after it died. Genesis 8:2 ‘Now the springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky.’ That verse shows that water rushed out of the ground and quickly covered the earth. Rapidly moving water coming from the sea would have brought fish up the mountain. The raging water also would have disturbed the ground causing mud to mix with the water. That accounts for the well-preserved bodies of the sea creatures in the mountains. But there are many other ways to prove that the flood did occur. Not only are there a bunch of dead marine life to observe way up in a mountain, but there is also a bunch of geological features underground you can observe. As the water rushed over the surface of the earth, it brought sediment. Sediment is like silty mud found on the bottom of lakes, rivers, and oceans. Sediment comes in many colors and mixtures. Some scientists say that all the sediment they have found is thousands of years old. However, if the Flood did occur, it would have brought the sediment in much faster than the scientists predicted. Scientists have been known to make mistakes in predicting how long something takes to form. For example, they said it would take at least a couple hundred years to form a glacier. A couple of years later a squadron of WWII fighter planes was found buried under ice. Scientists were wrong there so they could be wrong here as well. The way the sediment is laying down also points to how it got there. In the article that Dr. Snelling A. Andrew wrote, he explains that if the sediment came from the north, there would be sediment waves pointing south. That is exactly what we see in the Grand Canyon.

Those are not the only facts that we can use to help prove that the flood did happen. In a place called Paria Canyon, we see what is called wave formation. A wave formation is created over time when sand is blown or washed in a particular direction. As the layers build up over time, the bottom layers solidify and become rock. This process is called compaction. When the rocks become compacted. The wave-like pattern becomes part of the rock. It acts like a fossil in a way. The waves in the Paria Canyon are up to five miles long. There is also another interesting thing found in the Paria Canyon wave formation, whirlpools. The appearance of whirlpools suggests that water moved the sand into that pattern. If the flood did happen, the raging water would create whirlpools all over the wave formation in Paria Canyon. The pressure of the water would have compressed the sand dunes and solidified the wave formation.

There is another way to prove that the flood occurred. 2 Peter 3:5-7 states “5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of the water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” This means that the continents were broken up. That is why we have a multi-continent world. There is one theory that the world was originally one continent that they call Rodina. This is where Noah and everyone before him would have lived. Below is the diagram used in the article, “https://answersingenesis.org/geology/plate-tectonics/noahs-lost-world/” this suggests that when the floodgates opened, it broke apart the tectonic plates. This is why we have multiple continents.

The amount of evidence that proves the flood is astonishing. The scars it left behind are everywhere. There are fish in mountains and sediment spread over the continent as well as waves and whirlpools in the sand. Even our continents reflect the flood. It is extremely hard to dismiss the flood when confronted with all these facts.

Hi everyone, today I am going to talk about a disaster that happened in Toronto It’s the most costly natural disaster in the GTA area, On July 8th, Toronto experienced the greatest amount of rainfall in one day ever recorded in the city. About 126 millimeters of torrential rain hit the ground. The storm flooded roads and basements, and a thousand went to bed without power that night.

Flooding also caused a full shutdown of the city. The Don Rivers banks were at risk of fallout while police wanted drivers to lead clear of Highways 427,401 and 27 because of the disaster.

1,400 people were held by the flooding aboard a northbound Go Transit train and it took police and firefighters took about seven hours to ferry everyone to dry ground aboard small inflatable boats.

There are many insurance companies that are raising rates because of the increase in weather-related claims. The effect of the flood will be much worse if the governments did not act after the disaster of Hurricane Hazel, an equatorial storm that hit Toronto in 1954.

Also, the storm of 2013 shows that Toronto’s urban environment is still oversensitive to damage from flash floods, I think this disaster will become more common in upcoming years.

The disaster of Toronto in 1954 Hurricane Hazel creates a lot of damage but the flood of July 2013 did not create more damage to life and property because the local governments converted previous residential lands into parks and legislated zoning bylaws to ensure homes would not be built on lands at risk of severe flooding.

At the meeting of July 16,17,18 and 19 2013, the City council passed several resolutions related to the disaster Council directed staff to complete an estimate of the damage caused by the storm, request financial assistance from the provincial and federal governments for damage to property and to report back on options for rising investment in infrastructure for Toronto water and Toronto Hydro.

The reason for this report is to:

• Provide an update on private and public costs related to the disaster.
• Detail the expedited operation for responding to insurance claims.
• Update council on proceedings taken to request from the provincial
• Detail the schedule of staff activities that will address the balance of the storm-related resolutions adopted by the council at its July meeting.

Finally, the damage from the July storm was estimated at $65.2 million, according to the city of Toronto, and the city reminds residents that every home should have the basic supplies for emergencies.

1. Drinking water.
2. Canned food and a manual can open.
3. Batteries for flashlights and radios
4. First aid kt
5. Crank or battery-operated radio
6. Cash

The world is full of natural occurrences. Sometimes floods come when people are not aware. The Budalangi flood occurred when people believed that the dykes the government had constructed would protect them. When natural disasters occur, it is how people respond that determines the extent of the damage on human life.

It was on a Monday, and people had woken up early to prepare their lands for planting (Birkmann 356). At 7 A.M in the morning, most of the parents had taken their young ones to school. It was the planting season, and most of the farmers were very busy on their farms.

At 7:30 A.M, the river started swelling. People knew that it was raining in the highlands. They just did not know how long it had been raining there. People continued with their work hoping that their crops would give them a good harvest that year.

By 8:00 A.M there was a big bang. People saw soil, water and rocks in the air. They got scared and ran to safety in their houses. A man asked his colleague, “What is happening?” Hussein answered, “I don’t know! Let us run for safety, and then we can find out.” Within a short time water was filling up the farms and the houses that were close to the river.

The massive flow of water had busted its banks and broken the dykes. Within a short time, the rooms were filling up with water. Everyone started looking for whatever they could reach and carry to the higher lands (Steinberg 418).

People were weeping and yelling for help. Some were running up and down trying to secure their young ones to safety (Coppola 268). Others were attempting to swim with two or three things they could save on their backs. Parents who had taken their children to school were busy trying to call the teachers to find out if their children were safe. Some parents swam so that they could get to more sheltered areas. The water had carried away some people who were trying to find their way to the higher lands.

An elderly man, who was still sleeping, suffocated when the water entered his house and covered his beddings. Some animals that could not reach the higher grounds died in the flood (Pinkowski 312). Some people loved their birds so much that some of them were carrying chicken in containers.

The people lived in the Budalangi valley. Those who were not lucky to move on time had to climb on the roofs of houses. Others climbed nearby trees. Surprisingly, some of those trees could not hold them for a long time. Some trees fell. The incident killed about four people. Unfortunately, some people did not know how to swim. They held on to anything that could keep them alive.

As the survivors moved up the hill, it started raining. The water continued to fill up the valley (Coppola 268). One woman shouted to her husband, “Where is my baby!?” The man replied, “Do you mean you did not go back to the house to pick Sarah?” She wailed and said that she thought he had gone back to the house for the baby. He got to the house when water had reached his neck. He had to turn back because he knew he could not save anything in the house.

The Red Cross rescue team and the government rescue team arrived. They only had time to save a few people using the helicopter. Some were on top of their houses (Haerens and Zott 146). They also reached for those who had climbed the trees. They used boats to carry those who were trying to swim. They also had to carry some of the bodies of those who had already died.

When they got to the higher grounds, they realized that some of the residents needed immediate medical attention. Others needed counseling to overcome the grief. They first had to build some temporary shelters for them in the Highlands. Some had managed to carry some food stuff. But that could not be enough for all of them.

The rescue team quickly organized for some dry food stuff. They gave them some bottled water for drinking. They also took some parents to the school to be with their children since the school was on the adjacent Highland. The children were safe there because the floods did not reach the place (Miller 362). The school only provided rooms and desks. They needed blankets and some sleeping mats.

The residents had not anticipated that one day the flood would burst the dykes. But their response was drastic. During such incidences, there is no time to organize anything. People have to think first and make decisions. The only important thing is to find a place where it is safe. The government and residents need to form disaster management teams. They should train them so that in the case of such an occurrence people can skillfully save more lives.

Floods are caused by many things. Many times it rains too much, other times a dam breaks; however, the effects of floods devastating. Floods can cause environmental losses as well and economical losses, land is washed away, homes are ruined, and people sometimes even die. This essay is about the causes and effects that flood have on our world.

Floods are caused by many things. One cause of a flood is when water exceeds the capacity of the area it is in; thus causing it to overflow outside the waters boundary. Another cause is the amount of rain that a certain area of land gets. When too much water has rained over a certain area, sewers start getting flooded, creating a backup and water starts to flow on streets. One more way of flooding is when dams break. Massive dams that hold water back prevent flooding. When the gate breaks, the water flows out of it and creates a flood.

Climates and environments have a lot to do with flooding also. A higher altitude might be exposed to more rain than a lower altitude. Also a damper, wetter climate creates it more susceptible for rain, which causes it to flood (flash flood) more frequently than a hot and dry climate. Hurricanes also effect floods to. When a hurricane reaches land, there is an enormous amount of water that is carried along with it. This water dumped on land and as water levels rise, flooding is created.

The effects of floods are devastating. Many times floods can destroy everything. Houses can be torn off their foundation because the water has made its structure weaker, tar can be been pulled off road causing major pot holes, earth can be sunken in creating a different landscape, tons of trees have the possibility of being ripped out. To see the effects after a flood is not a pretty site. Water has to be pumped out of flooded civilian areas.

Another thing that floods effect is the environmental and economical situations. When floods occur, there is a large amount of water that runs over the ground. Loose soil, rocks, and landscape can be dramatically altered, leaving behind a rugged, changed terrain. Loose soil can create mud slides, which create hazardous situations for living things nearby. The economy after the flood can be one of the greatest effected. Billions of dollars have been donated by a countries government to rebuild and payback what was lost. Many times these things include houses, roads, buildings, cars, schools, etc. Another thing that people loose in the event of floods is their jobs; consequently, after water damaging buildings and such, businesses can be run down, bankrupt and even, in existent. This causes lots of people to be jobless, which in effect, creates no way of paying for daily needs.

During floods, humans can lose so much. One of the most dangerous things a person could lose would be their life. If a person gets caught in a flood and is swept away, they have the risk of drowning in the water. Many times people die not only from the flood itself; but the effects after the flood such as starvation, hazardous objects floating in the water, and much more. Because of the water, it is harder for medical services to help civilians. The people rely on the aid workers to bring refugees food; consequently, if the aid workers have a hard time getting through the water, many families starve to death.

Floods are part of everyday lives. They are caused by too much rain, hurricanes, breaking of dams, etc. Many times the effects are devastating. The environment and economy are destroyed, land is washed away, houses are destroyed, and peoples lives are changed forever.

Egypt and Mesopotamia were two civilizations that bore as many similarities as did differences. Mesopotamia was originally concentrated in Tigris and Euphrates rivers valleys though it gradually spread to other areas. The effects of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers largely impacted the Mesopotamian culture more so about its frequent and destructive floods. This is unlike the Egyptian scenarios where the Nile was predictable and its people’s civilization centered on its activities. It was viewed by Egyptians as an unending blessing from the gods and goddesses of the land. Significantly, it contributed to the development of the first calendars which were based on the river’s cycles.

The cultures in Egypt and Mesopotamia are largely a product of flooding. Civilizations in these nations largely revolved around the respective rivers and occurred at the same period. The river valleys and the geographical patterns associated with flooding dictate the outcomes in various aspects including agriculture, religious groupings, and structures of living (Nicolas 86). While in Egypt, cultures were largely shaped by the Nile River, Mesopotamia was affected by Euphrates and Tigris rivers.

In Egypt, there was an annual overflow of banks of the Nile River. This resulted in the depositing of rich, natural fertilizing elements which attracted various economic activities along the banks and beyond. Unlike the unpredictable overflow of River Tigris and the Euphrates in Mesopotamia, the Nile’s activities were predictable (Nicolas 88). The Euphrates and Tigris often resulted in destructive floods, hurricanes, torrential downpours, inundating of villages and cities, and deaths (Michael 32). Mesopotamia was largely open to the effects of floods unlike Egypt was protected by natural barriers.

Religious beliefs in Egypt were likewise influenced by the activities of the Nile. The predicted flooding patterns contributed to the countries economic prosperity and hence the religious beliefs were largely founded on the Nile as a gift from God. In Mesopotamia, the case was different; religion was bleak and lacked vitality. The calamities resulting from floods were considered as sent by the gods and goddesses (Michael 32). This message is best illustrated in the Gilgamesh epic. Governance was also shaped by flooding activities. The need for organized governance structures to facilitate the development of dikes and systems used in irrigation was also a product of flooding.

Flooding of these rivers however contributed to the positive economic growth of the countries. The first successful efforts to control the flow of water were recorded in these two countries. It is historically factual that human activities are often concentrated along waterways. Settling patterns in Mesopotamia were dictated by the relatively fertile lands resulting from River Tigris and Euphrates deposits (see attached figs 2 and 3). The settlers learned ways of irrigating lands surrounding the two rivers. This paved way for the creation of a system of canals and waterways (Payne 76). Additionally, the agricultural patterns were shaped by flooding whereby after planting and harvesting in early spring, the fields were left to lie idle until July when floods would return. A key invention to facilitate agriculture by the Egyptians was the shaduf (see fig. 1) which was used to put water into the self-made irrigation canals. Both the irrigation system used in Egypt and Mesopotamia were basin type.

In conclusion, it is important to reiterate that the two cultures are all a product of flooding though in uniquely individual ways. Unlike Mesopotamia, Egyptians viewed flooding of the Nile as a blessing in disguise. Mesopotamia on the other hand viewed the flooding as a calamity that came with destructive activities. Their activities unlike that of Egyptians focused on controlling the flooding activities. However, both reaped a lot culture-wise as a result of the flooding of their respective rivers.

The solar system is believed to have majorly contributed to the formation of the Earth when a cloud of massive swirling dust and gas condensed through a supercooling. Earth has evolved over 4.5 billion years, after such occurrences of massive cooling (Hill, 2016). The solid formed is the current core and the crust, on which the natural bodies sit. After the formation of the earth, several natural phenomena have occurred leading to the development of lakes, rivers, mountains valleys, craters volcanoes, and canyons.

Grand Canyon in Arizona will form the center stage of this work, in which two theories purporting its formation will be discussed. For a long time, the world believed in the teachings of the Bible. The churches acted as a solace to the faithful in which most of the questions were answered. In this context, most of the earth’s physical features including the Grand Canyon are believed to have formed due to floods. Therefore, the debate here will focuses on the arguments developed by the geologists and the clergy for a broader understanding of the discussion.

Several theories have been put forward by geologists, independent scholars, and the Bible to try to explain the existence of the Earth’s natural features. Geologists such as Montgomery researched the conflict generated between the biblical theories of creation such as Noah’s flood context and the scientific proofs (Hill, 2016). Irrespective of the philosophies, it is crucial to recognize that finding the best way to explain natural incidences requires insight into both biblical and scientific perceptions. Thus, this paper will prove that the floods of Noah’s time did not cause the formation of the Grand Canyon.

From a scientific point of view, Noah’s flood did not create the rocks seen in the Grand Canyon. Rather, it is an integration of several weather aspects combined with the Earth’s gradual evolution nature (Hill, 2016). Firstly, exclusively believing that it is Noah’s floods that solely led to the formation of the rocks at the Grand Canyon underscores the Earth’s evolution process. According to fossil records, Grand Canyon rocks formed around six million years ago. Secondly, Montgomery further affirms that floods are not prone to forming major features on Earth such as the Grand Canyon rocks (as cited in Hill, 2016). The dating according to the Bible shows that the flooding started when Noah was 600 years old (New American Standard Bible, 2015, Genesis 7:11) and that was 1656 BCE on the world calendar. These two dates are conflicting with each other and provide solid evidence that Noah’s flood must have taken place in 1656 BCE after the Grand Canyon was formed.

With the influence of the Biblical beliefs before the renaissance and civilization, most people indeed trusted in the church before the advent of civilization. Apart from Montgomery, scientists believe that the gorge was formed between 5 to 6 million years (Hill, 2016). Another important point, Grand Canyon had been inhabited by the Native Americans for thousands of years. The history of Native Americans in this unique feature is dated back to the ice age. With the glaciation that swept across the globe, it is possible that movement of ice must have also suggested having caused the depth witnessed in the Grand Canyon. The mile-deep canyon exposed some of the oldest rocks known to man, such as Vishnu basement rocks, which are estimated by carbon dating to be closely 1.7 billion years old (Harris, 2018). Additionally, due to inaccuracy in dating, it may also be challenging to discern whether the Grand Canyon rocks were purely a creation of Noah’s floods. In summary, Noah’s floods least contributed to the formation of the Grand Canyon rocks seen a few years ago.

On proposing that Noah’s flood caused the rocks seen at the Grand Canyon, one must understand the role of the church and its relation to the explanations of the creation. Despite challenges in dating methods and conflicting information, Noah’s floods were a world major occurrence whose effects cannot be underscored (Marcus et al., 2015). The flow of water within the terrain could gradually move masses of land, causing mudslides and valleys, which were later dug by the Colorado River, eventually forming the Grand Canyon.

In a different study, Montgomery further acknowledges the pivotal role played by religion in explaining some development of world features. He states, “But the idea that scientific reason and religious faith are at odds with each other, which is, in my view, a false dichotomy” (as cited in Hill, 2016, para. 4). He also studied the work of St. Augustine to unveil the understanding of the development of the world’s features as a result of Noah’s floods. Through his studies, he concluded that as per the role of the clergy at a time when science was not fully established, it was right to believe that the flood led to the formation of the Grand Canyon (as cited in Hill, 2016). The scholars also explained their perception of the geology which discredited most of the biblical aspects and Noah’s flood was one of the cited examples.

To refute claims of Noah’s flood theory, there is a need to look at the weaknesses of this claim. Modern science had not fully evolved to offer satisfactory answers such as the formation of physical features (Marcus et al., 2015). It was good for the church to step in and give the answers to such a daunting question that was beyond human understanding by then. Despite the conflicting ideologies from the church against science, there is a need to consider the fact that the church plays an important role to harmonize human understanding and scientific views on the development of physical features. Nevertheless, science provides more facts and explanations of the formation of Earth’s physical features.

In conclusion, Noah’s floods did not form the rocks seen in the Grand Canyon a few thousand years ago. As such, developing a distinction between the sole causes for the development of the Grand Canyon rocks is still a daunting task in the context of Biblical theory. Moreover, it is eminent to conclude that the formation of the rocks at the Grand Canyon was a result of several scientific factors and cannot be anchored on the biblical perception. The flow of the river Colorado through the valleys of Arizona in antiquity must have contributed to the formation of the rocks and other features at the Grand Canyon. This case is not only interesting to study, but also shows a relationship between science and religion, which is anchored through the study of such life phenomena as Earth’s physical features. Interestingly, science has overtaken the old explanations that the people believed in through the church for a long time.

Globally , flooding is one of the major natural disaster has been increasing as the frequency of flooding which causes from the combination natural hazards, human settlement induced factors and is held responsible for a huge number of damaging events than any other type of natural event have increased . in a minimum flood losses of one third of all due to nature’s that can be to the flooding , Flood harm has been very severe in current decades and it is clear that both the frequency and intensity of floods are increasing.. there are many countries like china , India , Bangladesh, flooding is a frequent, in a minimum annual Events and other’s like South Arabia, where some place flood is rare , but its effects is sometimes also severe. population of the world no one is free to be save from the being flooded. but still, the risk of flood is very wide vulnerable to the communities. According(Sadiq et al, 2011) Different countries worldwide such as Europe , America , Asia , Oceania , Australia , in Africa having Experience in heavy rains heavy rains, river overflows, hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis and un expected floods seen which destroy completely or some party localities in all over the world. Floods are among the most recurring and devastating natural hazards, effecting human lives and causing severe economic socially and Environmental damage throughout the world.

The effects of drought and flood coupled with poverty and high population growth let many people become victims for various disasters (ERCS, 2012). different scholar’s forward that that the magnitude and frequency of flooding increased speedily in recent years in the country. It is evident indicated by the dramatically increased number of people and areas affected; number of deaths; and infrastructure and property loss. according 2014 , Gizachew and Shimelis, Manifestation of climate change in the form of erratic rainfall, frequent and severe floods; and droughts have grave consequences on the livelihood, security of smallholder farming communities, and making them more vulnerable in countries like Ethiopia haw ever , flooding has been remaining one of the severe natural catastrophic in the country. flooding affects many parts of the country , for example120,000 people have been displaced by flooding in Ethiopia. the country vulnerable to floods and resulting destruction of life, economy, this month infrastructure, services and health of the people ( federal Disater preparedness in somali regionsl state. )

Dolo Ado is one towns of Somali regional state , Ethiopia has faced flooding caused to displacing thousands from their home , death of four year old child and loss of property and livelihoods. for example The woreda has two rivers named Ganale and Dawa, which normally flooded out during Gu and Deyr rain season and affect the asset of the communities, Thus, due to the rain raining in the highland part of the country caused the two rivers of Genale and Dawa to become full of water while the rivers flooded out .

Dolo Ado is facing a unique set of socioeconomic, environmental, and urbanization conditions that combine as a vulnerability profile to make particular populations and city systems suffer harm from flood events. Therefore, the study area is one of the greatest flood prone areas and the severity of the flood is variable between years especially in Deyr season. However, still there is unclear cause and unclear real effects of the flood. Meanwhile, the changes and severity of flood has been profound effects on the majority of the people in Dolo Ado town and surrounding area in general. Therefore, identification of such system may be regarded as more important than a similar system in an isolated area. Moreover, even though flood accounts the greatest proportion of livelihood loss in the country as a whole and in Dolo Ado town in particular, the coping mechanisms are still traditional and there is an acute shortage of studies conducted with a specific objective at local resolution analyzing the real causes and effects of flood.

Thus, this study is essential to understand whether the likely real effects are high and increasing or not and whether the causes of flood are natural or man-made. Therefore, the study in Generally will fill the gap by focusing on the investigation of real effects and its causes.

Dolo Ado Woreda is located and bounded between 516,493m, to 435,460 m North and 842,492m to 695,529 East. The woreda is found in Liibaan zone of the Somali Regional State covering a total area of 7,330 square Km. Dolo Ado woreda is bordered on the North Filtu, Jarati Woreda, West Mubarak Woreda, onthe West Direction Kenya Country, South Somalia Country and East Direction Dolo BayWoreda. Dolo Ado town, which is the woreda capital, is at a distance from the regional capital Jijiga towards the South direction.

This research will adopt mixed research approach. The mixed methods approach will help the researcher to triangulate among various and diverse research methods:

4.1. Sample Design : One of the central objectives of this study is to assess the effects of flood, and the existing risk management measures in Dolo Ado. To conduct such a research, there is a need to collect primary data through field survey. However, due to financial and time constraints, the researcher focused on households from three purposively selected Kebeles that are mainly affected by the flood.

4.2.Study population: The total population of the study is nine thousand household heads from community within three kebeles. It is from this population that sampling frame for the final sample size calculation could be obtained.

4.3. Sampling Frame: Sampling frame is a list that consists of all the categories of sampling units or units of analysis. So for this specific study, the sampling frame for the survey was the total households of the three Kebeles that are mainly affected by which add up to 2985 households

4.4. Sampling Techniques: To select sample respondents from the total population, probability and non- probability sampling techniques will be used. Probability sampling helps to give equal chance for all HHs, which increases the chance of every household being selected.

4.5. Sample Size and sampling Technique .

Finally, after the data collection the data was edited, coded, decoded, tabulated and analyzed by using suitable statistical tools such as SPSS package.

Introduction

The state of Florida has 1,197 miles of coastline, and sand beaches cover more than 660 miles of this seashore (the State of Florida, 2017). These coastlines can be used for different purposes, and sand beaches can be public and private, as well as appropriate for recreational or residential use (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015d).

However, there are significant threats to these beaches and risks for flora and fauna, as well as for people who live near the state’s coastline because of potential coastal flooding and erosion (Hanley et al., 2014). The purpose of this research paper is to determine what solutions to the risks of coastal flooding and erosion are more appropriate in the case of Florida’s beaches while focusing on the effectiveness of beach-dune systems and man-made seawalls.

Significance of the Problem

Significant climate changes observed throughout the world allow for speaking about increased risks for coastal regions because of threats associated with rising sea levels (Kerr & Baird, 2007). The specific geographical characteristics of Florida and the length of coastline are important to be taken into consideration while analyzing the potential danger associated with coastal flooding. It is important to note that the state of Florida spans several climatic zones (U.S. Climate Data, 2017). The north and central parts of Florida are in the zone of a subtropical climate.

South Florida is in a tropical climate zone. High rainfall rates and storms are typical of this region, and they cause movements of sands, as well as increases in the sea level (Olsen Associates Inc., 2012). Scientists at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict that ocean waters will rise at a rate that exceeds the current average in three centimeters for every ten years, and the rate at which the sea level rises is expected to accelerate because of the climate change (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, 2013). For instance, the Florida Keys and the areas along the Central Atlantic Coast and the Central Gulf Coast are most severely threatened by the rise of the sea level (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2017).

The problem is that recent changes in the climate have led to worsening the situation in Florida regarding the beach systems’ protection because of erosion, sand drifts, and flooding. The experts’ efforts to address the identified risks have demonstrated mixed results because much attention should be paid to analyzing the protective characteristics of each beach with the focus on dune systems. The concentration on natural dunes as the most effective way to preserve beaches in Florida along with their ecosystems should be discussed in comparison to the construction of specific seawalls which are often proposed as appropriate measures to address the problem and protect beaches.

Hypotheses

The following hypotheses or assumptions were formulated to be proved or disproved as a result of conducting the literature review on the problem:

Although seawalls provide a high degree of protection against coastal flooding, natural beach-dune systems are more effective to guarantee the long-term ecological sustainability and coastal protection.

Natural dunes are stronger defenses against coastal flooding, beach erosion, and rising sea levels.

Natural dunes are the least costly way to maintain a recreational beach for current and future generations in the state of Florida.

These assumptions were taken into account while examining the existing literature on the problem of protecting coasts in Florida from the negative impacts of coastal flooding and associated erosion.

Literature Review

This section provides information regarding each coastal area in Florida to analyze the available historical and environmental data. The information regarding ecological and economic factors influencing the problem is also provided in this section. Possible solutions presented in the literature are described in detail.

Historical Data

Northeast Atlantic coast of Florida. This part of the Atlantic coast spans from the Florida-Georgia border to the Daytona Beach region in Volusia County and encompasses the Jacksonville metropolitan area. The Northeast Atlantic coast of Florida is a subtropical region, and the beach erosion in this area is impacted primarily by frequent temperate changes and tropical storms.

The entrances of the St. Mary’s River and the St. John’s River are located here, and they contribute to beach erosion (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015e). This coastline is the home for marine turtles, right whales, beach mice, and shorebirds. The economics of this area is driven by recreational facilities and tourism which depend on beaches. Traditionally, beach maintenance along the Northeast Atlantic coast of Florida is based on reducing the amount of the “beach-compatible” sediment that is removed with routine dredging of several inlets along this coastline (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015e). Beach erosion is managed with the help of replacing sands from upland and offshore sources.

Central Atlantic coast of Florida. The Central Atlantic coast of Florida covers the territory from Daytona Beach to Port St. Lucie in Martin County, which includes Cape Canaveral and the Indian River. This region is in a subtropical zone. Although diverse flora and fauna along the Central Atlantic coast of Florida are similar to the Northeast Atlantic coast, there are fragile reef communities in this central region. Economics of this area depends on tourism and recreational activities, as well as the work of the Cape Canaveral Space Center (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015b).

However, beach erosion processes caused by specifics of the tropical weather and dredging of commercially navigated inlets influence infrastructure and facilities in this region because of many critically eroded areas. Thus, in 2014, 85,000 cubic yards of sand were stockpiled for the beach replenishment use by the Cape Canaveral Space Center (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015b). In this region, beach maintenance depends on the restriction of dredging, construction of sand traps, reduction of the loss of the “beach-compatible” sediment, the replenishment of beaches with sands from upland, and offshore sources, and the implementation of dune restoration projects.

Southeast Atlantic coast of Florida. The Southeast Atlantic coast of Florida covers the territory from Juniper County through Marin, Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties to the Florida Keys. This diverse area is the home for tropical, sub-tropical, tropical savannah, and tropical rain forest climates. The ground is composed of porous rock, and marine turtles and shorebirds inhabit these territories (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015g). However, their habitats are threatened by temperate and tropical storms, as well as by seawalls intended to protect the shore.

Economics of the coast depends on tourism, commercial shipping, leisure cruising, and international commerce. Still, the active construction of new buildings affected the coastline ecosystem. To overcome beach erosion processes, experts propose the focus on dunes, the bypassing of sediments to downdrift beaches, the transfer of sand from inlet dredging to proximal beaches, and the replacement of sand from upland and offshore sources (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015g).

The Florida Keys of Florida. The Florida Keys region is limited to Monroe County. The area’s climate is classified as tropical and tropical savannah. The coastline in this region includes miles of mangrove with a few small sandy beaches. Flora and fauna in Monroe County are diverse, but beach erosion processes affect them significantly. In this region, seawalls also exaggerate the natural shifting of sands (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015c). Thus, sands from neighboring Miami-Dade County mines are regularly trucked to the Florida Keys and stabilized with native vegetation, including seagrasses.

Southwest Gulf Coast of Florida. This coastline spans from Collier County to Pinellas County. The area includes Marco Island where manatees and beach-nesting birds live. Least terns, snowy plovers, and American oystercatchers among others are discussed as species threatened because of changes in the climate and erosion processes. The vast number of inlets contributes to erosion along the Southwest Gulf coast (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015h). The control of erosion processes is realized by replacing sand with offshore resources and saving the beach-compatible sand from inlet dredging. In the early 2000s, a geotextile groin field (a man-made sand trap) was constructed along the coast of Charlotte County to reduce drifts, but instead, it exacerbated erosion processes (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015h).

Big Bend Gulf Coast of Florida. The Big Bend Gulf Coast of Florida ranges from Pasco County to Taylor County, and it is located between the Southwest Gulf coast and the Florida Panhandle. This coast is the home for the endangered West Indian manatee. As in other areas of Florida, beach erosion at these territories is caused by tropical storms and geomorphic shifting of sands, contributing to changing the landscape. Sand is usually trucked here from upland sources. However, limited municipal funding has halted the construction of erosion control structures at the Big Bend Gulf Coast of Florida (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015a).

Panhandle Gulf coast of Florida. The Panhandle Gulf coast of Florida is bordered by Alabama, Georgia, and the Gulf of Mexico. Geopolitically, it spans over ten counties, from Jefferson County to Escambia County. This area is a habitat for the piping plover and the endangered Gulf sturgeon. This coast is also affected by storms and erosion from inlets. The authorities try to control erosion with the help of T-groins as structures built to trap sand or prevent beach erosion, sand fencing with native dune vegetation, seawalls, and porous net groin systems which are not cost-effective (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015f).

Economic and Environmental Data

The economy of Florida is driven by the development of facilities located on beaches near the coastline. The development of this infrastructure makes Florida an ideal place for vacationing all year round. Miles of coastline allows for inviting thousands of people. Furthermore, these territories are rich in fish, and they allow for the development of the fishing industry in Florida. The climate change in the region and the active development of infrastructure at the coastline contributed to the development of the following environmental problem: over 1,000 miles of the coastline is “critically” eroded when other areas are discussed as “non-critically” eroded (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015d).

As a result, thousands of houses and facilities are at risk of being damaged because of actively developing erosion processes. The problem is that the significant coastal flooding can contribute to putting about 1.5 million houses underwater. Such flooding can significantly affect Miami-Dade County where the porous limestone of South Florida prevents the construction and feasibility of seawalls. Furthermore, researchers predict such flooding during the second half of this century (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2016).

The necessity of protecting environmental and economic resources makes experts and authorities discuss opportunities for managing Florida’s beaches, dunes, and erosion processes. Still, it is important to pay attention to differences of coastlines in Florida. For example, the beaches along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are made up primarily of quartz from the Appalachian Mountain range, whereas the sand on the Florida Keys’ beaches is made primarily of carbonate from algae and remains of the exoskeletal marine and terrestrial life (The Nature Conservancy, n.d.).

Nevertheless, the rapid erosion of sands from Florida’s beaches, whether from Panhandle or Key West, has the common etiology. At these territories, erosion is accelerated by the rise of the ocean water temperature, the shrinkage of landmasses, and the active growth of the population at coastlines, requiring housing and other infrastructure that permanently displace sand dunes.

To restore 400 miles of critically eroded beaches in Florida, the state requires hundreds of millions of dollars (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015d). Therefore, the state and local authorities are interested in finding a sustainable and effective solution that can be appropriate to prevent the destruction of beaches and facilities located on them.

The problem is that previous solutions were rather costly, but not effective enough to address the issue. For instance, the 2005 T-groin project in Pinellas County covered 2400 feet of the shoreline. The cost of this system was $1.5 million (Elko & Mann, 2007). While early results were positive, the system was determined to be ineffective to prevent beach erosion, and experts even discussed it as contributing to erosion. Therefore, there is still a need for an effective solution that can be implemented in Florida to protect beaches from coastal flooding and erosion processes.

Possible Solutions

The authorities and experts working on the problem of beach erosion in Florida determined two potential solutions: the focus on nature-based solutions and dune restoration and the focus on constructing man-made seawalls. Securing dunes along coastlines throughout Florida is a priority. Researchers note that it is important, to begin with, the “critically eroded” areas (Giardino et al., 2013).

However, there are debates on how this project should be accomplished. There are only two measures proven to date to be effective in slowing or stopping beach erosion (Williams, 2007). These measures are the construction of seawalls along the coast and the planting of native vegetation along sand dunes. Innovative ideas, such as the building of groin systems or replenishing of beaches with mined sand, have not proven to be cost-effective (Giardino et al., 2013). Furthermore, some experts state that they can even contribute to erosion.

According to researchers and specialists in the field, both seawalls and dune construction with vegetation have multiple advantages and disadvantages. Overall, planting a native beach-dune with vegetation appropriate to the region is the most effective long-term form of coastline protection (Barbier, 2006). Compared to other methods of dune protection, this method is also cost-efficient. The methods that experts use now to preserve and protect beaches are stop-gap measures or seawalls. However, the problem is that seawalls can prevent the development of the ecosystem in a certain region. Besides, researchers note that their construction is a very costly process.

Some researchers also state that there is always the following option: to do nothing because of problems associated with choosing this or that method. However, actions are important to protect the biological diversity in Florida, prevent erosion processes, and prevent the destruction of houses and facilities. Beach erosion will continue and spread without developing a strong and stable coastline, landmasses will shrink, and thousands of homes will be affected (Hudson, Keating, & Pettit, 2015). Therefore, much attention should be paid to selecting the most efficient solution to address the discussed problem.

Results

Assessment of the Situation

Today, the Florida coastline is the place where numerous natural disasters, like Hurricane Matthew, influenced the lives of its citizens and the environmental situation of the region. Therefore, environmental protection is the goal that has to be achieved. In Florida, coastal armoring is the solution that is offered to people. It aims at preventing erosion, protecting eligible structures, and evaluation of harm that may be caused by coastal waves or unpredictable actions. However, the main problem is that sand is the material that is hard to hold on a beach. Therefore, it is necessary to think about the methods with the help of which it is possible to capture sand and use it for protection regarding the current state of affairs in Florida.

More than 80% of people live near the coast in Florida (Havens, 2015). Several feet above the sea level is the only natural protection that is available to people. Hurricanes, storm surge, and unpredictable weather changes are the results of climate change and global warming. Florida people can hardly influence the global climate to protect their homes and lives against increased sea levels. Still, they can take the steps with the help of which the level of protection can be significantly increased. Erosion is a regular, seasonal condition that reshapes the shoreline and demolished some constructions.

People are ready for such problems. Hurricanes do not surprise people despite the destruction that may be observed. For example, a flood that is about five feet could bring the homes of more than 1.5 million people underwater. The investigations of the representatives from Climate Central Foundation predict an increased number of floods in Florida by 2030 with 9-15% of odds without warming and 19-25% of odds caused by warming. The current situation in the state shows that local people are aware of the possible environmental, ecological, and economic problems (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2015d). Their task is to clarify if sand dunes or man-made systems (seawalls) can be effective for their protection.

Economy

Florida’s economy depends considerably on the activities and businesses that are developed on beaches. Millions of tourists come to Florida beaches and spend much of their time there during their winter and summer vacations. Coastlines are impressive, and the Florida government spends much time and money on the development of transport, real estate, and other areas that attract tourists. Florida beaches bring lots of money (approximately $67 billion annually) and promote the development of the sports industry. There are many appropriate places for volleyball. However, regular erosion is critical for Florida’s economy because coastal constructions are destroyed and have to be repaired. The cost of such repairs is high, and the government spends 1/3 of its incomes to improve buildings and create appropriate coastal conditions.

In addition to losses caused by environmental changes, there are certainly positive aspects of the economic situation of the region. For example, during the last ten years, unemployment rates have been dramatically decreased. In 2010, more than 1 million people were unemployed, and in 2017, this number is twice smaller (United States Department of Labor, 2017).

The growth of the economy cannot be neglected. Every year, economists and analytics are gathered to estimate the cost of harm (predictable and unpredictable) and clarify if the country’s budget can cover the losses. In the 2017-2018 fiscal year, it is predicted to observe economic growth up to 4% (“Florida’s economy still growing,” 2017). Still, these numbers are looming and can be changed in a short period due to the existing necessity to develop protective means in forms of native sand dunes or man-made seawalls. Each of the systems has its own advantages and disadvantages which can challenge the citizens of Florida and its tourists.

Effectiveness of Sand Dunes

Sand dunes introduce the systems that have to be developed on wide enough beaches the size of which can allow the storage of sand that is brought by the wind to shore. In Florida, there are many beaches in the territory of which the implementation of such systems is appropriate. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the threats and opportunities of this type of system as the best means to protect Florida from erosion and other destructions.

Advantages. One of the main advantages of sand dunes in Florida is its natural development. These wind-formed constructions can occur in the most undeveloped coastlines where sand is found. Sand dunes introduce a barrier between water and land and protect people against immediate destruction caused by sea-level changes. Sand dune technologies have to be preserved in Florida because it is one of the most effective and cheapest ways to protect the land against erosion and flooding. Vegetation can be developed on the territory with dunes and used as the main stabilizer of natural plants in the region (Saleh & Weinstein, 2016).

Erosion is one of the main problems Florida coastlines face with. Sand dunes help to deal with this problem. When beach volumes are low, it is the period when erosion is dangerous to the land. Sand dunes can be helpful because they contain sediments with the help of which erosion forces can be reduced (Bakker et al., 2012). These sediments aim at compensating the removal of sand from beaches and maintain the size and composition with the help of which incoming wave energy can be controlled.

The positive influence of naturally created sand dunes can be promoted by effective and in-time management. Physical and tangible defense promoted by sand dunes is the possibility to encourage sustainable development of the whole region and its vulnerable coastal zones. Besides, these systems are created not by people. Therefore, the area can have as much sand and protection as it can. The restoration of natural sites is possible. Plants and animals can survive under these dunes. Finally, the government should not spend much money to promote the construction of such systems. No technological interruption is required if the state chooses this form of protection against natural disasters.

Disadvantages. However, regarding all positive aspects of sand dunes, it is also necessary to remember the possible shortages of the chosen system. Sand dunes are natural creations, and though their features are usually not harmful to the environment, they can be rather inconvenient for people. For example, sand dunes can reduce the level of access to beaches. People have to walk more time than usual. People with children cannot allow reaching the beach without putting their physical conditions under threat. Dunes can also remove beaches, and the government has to think about the methods on how to restore the place for rest. At the same time, each region in Florida has its own peculiarities. For example, the Northeast Atlantic coast is the home for turtles and whales. It is normal for these creatures to have abrupt coastlines and some kind of fence against people. Central Atlantic Coast of Florida is the area where erosion develops fast, and beach dunes can protect the land. Beach dunes cause numerous debates in each region of Florida, and people are challenged by the necessity to make separate decisions instead of searching for one common effective solution.

Also, the choice of sand dunes should presuppose the loss of land. As it is a natural protective means, people cannot control its growth and spread. Dunes may be enlarged without any evident reasons, and people start losing their land that can be used for planting, building, or entertaining. It is impossible to predict the growth of sand dunes in a certain area. Therefore, the true effects of sand dunes on beaches turn out to be the main disadvantages due to their unpredictability.

Effectiveness of Man-Made Systems (Seawalls)

A seawall is a hard concrete construction made by people to protect against erosion, wave energy, and flooding. As a rule, such walls are used in many developing countries so that its citizens can be saved in case climate changes lead to an increase in sea level. Certain advantages and disadvantages can be identified to prove that the choice of this construction cannot be definite. People have to understand the sacrifice they are ready to make.

Advantages. One of the main benefits that can be observed in the construction of seawalls is its concrete material and the possibility to choose a form that is appropriate for an area. There can be an irregular surface with the help of which it is possible to reflect a wave’s direction. Vertical walls can be used to create hard protection with enough places for walks and advertisements. Besides, different materials can be used to create seawalls (Hanley et al., 2014). Revetments are frequently used in many countries.

There are many chances for Florida to get protection against erosion and flooding with the help of seawalls. New material is used for the creation of a line between water and the land. Such a fixed boundary is a good background for sightseeing and recreation. Its durable boundary is the reason for why the government chooses seawalls in comparison to other types of constructions. People can have access to water and enjoy comfort. There is no need to search for less dangerous places. As a rule, each meter of seawalls is safe and effective.

On the one hand, it is easy and interesting to observe the ocean. People can sit on special benches, communication, and enjoy nature. On the other hand, no erosion is observed because all vulnerable areas are under cover of the slabs of concrete. Finally, it is possible to admit that Florida citizens can obtain positive economic issues, like an increased number of working places connected with the construction of seawalls and the possibility to open new stores and shops close to water.

Disadvantages. The number of opportunities with seawalls is impressive indeed. However, it is also important to understand that the construction of seawalls may be characterized by certain financial, environmental, and even psychological shortages. In Florida, tourists come to enjoy nature and to spend their time close to the ocean. The majority of tourists are sick and tired of their city lives, and the main reasons for coming to Florida is the natural environment. It is hard to imagine the level of people’s disappointment when tourists observe concrete seawalls made by men instead of picturesque beaches, green trees, and freedom. Numerous negative emotions and some sort of disappointment and frustration may occur. Beachgoers are deprived of the opportunity to walk through the beach where water touches upon human legs stuck in the sand.

Besides, the high costs of construction should be mentioned. The government has to be ready to investigate its budget and think about the ways to protect the country’s economy. Certain attention should be spent on the analysis of wave energy and the amount of water spread to beaches. Seawalls aim at stopping waves. However, wave heights can be increased because of climate change and global warming.

Seawalls reflect waves (Kraus & McDougal, 1996). This reflection promotes turbulence that can influence the number of sediments and the increase in erosion threats. Scouring is another problem that has to be solved. Some seawalls are not appropriate for cleaning them regularly. Therefore, much time and effort should be spent to achieve positive results in cleaning the territory and find people and constructions to complete this task.

Seawalls are made by humans who cannot understand the true worth of the natural environment and its impact on habitat migration and existence. Hard defenses are not appropriate for planting native vegetation. Waste and fossil fuel emission occupy the beaches and deprive people of the opportunity to breathe in the fresh air and absorb oxygen.

Economic and Time Concerns of Implementing Systems

The example of Broward County (an area of the Southeast Atlantic coast of Florida) can be used to understand the financial aspect of dunes constructions. In 2012, there was a decision to replace sand. It was calculated that sand supply and labor required to perform this type of work cost approximately $41-$51 per cubic yard (Olsen Associates Inc., 2012). There are about 20,000 cubic yards to be replaced. In general, approximately $960,000 was required to complete this work and create appropriate sand dunes through the coastline. This work included everything from finding sand to the movement of all vehicles on the territory for several months. At the same time, the results of this work can be destroyed in several years because sand is in its flowing state, and it can be possible to say that money is thrown into the water.

The implementation of seawalls made by men is an expensive process, with the possibility to spend more than $10 million in half a year. This cost may include construction, temporary work, compensation events, delay, and HR activities. In less than one year, a plan for the creation of seawalls in Florida can be offered. For example, a concrete seawall may cost about $100 per linear foot. However, this is the price for the material only. About 80$ is required to install a riprap that is required to protect the land against erosion (Koch, 2010).

In general, the idea to use dunes and promote natural protections turns out to be economically and timely beneficial.

Ecological Concerns of Implementing Systems

The ecological concerns of implementing natural and man-made systems vary as well. Today, sand dunes are under threat of distinction due to such factors as urbanization, technological development, and conversion. People find it normal to damage and destroy beach dunes to support their personal and professional progress.

Therefore, it is necessary to improve an understanding of the role of sand dunes in society. Its ecological importance should be underlined regarding all coastal species and rehabilitation issues (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, 2015). The defense of the coastal environment and nature cannot be neglected. People should understand that there is not much place to be used for their connection to nature. If people decide to reject the idea of sand dunes on beaches, they deprive themselves of the opportunity to be saved and protected by nature.

Seawalls are characterized by evident ecological threats to society. This option supports the idea of technological development where no place for nature can be found. Concrete constructions and waste in water are the outcomes of seawalls in Florida. Tourists can hardly agree to visit the place and take rest where low attention to ecology is paid. From the ecological point of view, sand dunes gain more benefits in comparison to seawalls.

Conclusion

The review and analysis of sources on the problem of protecting the coastline of Florida from erosion processes indicate that there are two possible solutions to this issue. The first important option is the development of beach-dune systems as the nature-based solution, and the second option is the construction of seawalls which are actively used today in many countries to prevent flooding and erosion processes. Having analyzed specifics of the coastline in Florida and paying attention to such factors as environmental protection and costs, it is possible to state that the focus of the development of dune systems is the most sustainable solution which can be applied to address the problem in Florida.

It is important to note that beach dunes provide inhabitants of Florida’s coastline with more opportunities to develop. Also, the project associated with the support of beach-dune systems is viewed by the authorities as more attractive and feasible. This natural defense can be constructed easily, and it will not prevent the ecosystem of the shore from the further growth and development. On the contrary, the construction of such physical barriers as seawalls requires many resources, and its effects on the environment can be even negative. Therefore, the focus on the beach-dune systems can be discussed as a recommended solution to the identified problem.