How Climate Change Increases the Risk of Toxic Contamination

How Climate Change Increases the Risk of Toxic Contamination

In areas that have already suffered rampant deforestation and hurricane damage, such as the island nation of Haiti, is is apparent why one shouldn't assume that things once buried will stay that way. In that nation, the amount of erosion has caused major loss of life and property. And this is even with the relatively small tropical storms that were already common. The island has also already seen a sharp rise in the number and intensity of named storms over the 150 years or so that records have been kept.

Here, erosion has caused items that were once thought buried for good, such as decades old trash, to reappear on the surface and cause major pollution concerns. Of even more concern are the toxins, thought safe in a by-gone era are now escaping into the tropical environment. By way of comparison, neighboring Dominican Republic has far fewer trees standing and has a much easier time weathering storms. Part of sustainable development to protect areas from toxic releases is the planting and tending of trees to protect against future disasters.