Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2024

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor(s)

John Van Buren

Abstract

This paper addresses the increasing vulnerability that coastal communities face regarding climate crises and rising sea levels. Specifically, this paper investigates the environmental crises facing Charleston, South Carolina, and New York City. The geographical location of these cities places a more severe threat upon their environment, as opposed to urban collectives removed from the immediate effect of rising sea levels. A cross-examination of politics and economics is discussed in order to determine the causal relationship of each city’s engagement with its surrounding environment. This paper examines how each city is affected by climate change, what measures are in place to protect their environment, and the feasibility needed to prevent further crises. Additionally, this paper offers an economic analysis of the differentiation between highly funded cities and their counterpart. Chapter 1 offers current statistical evidence of the environmental crises looming over these cities. The environmental history and current ecological conditions pertaining to each city are examined, along with a brief discussion surrounding each urban area's economic, political, and legal characteristics. Chapter 2 expands upon the historical background briefly overviewed in the previous chapter. Additionally, a historical overview of environmental crises caused by human intervention is put forth. Urban planning, economic status, and the political landscape are cross-examined through a historical lens, both past and present, in order to provide a vivid description of the complexity of environmental degradation. Chapter 3 discusses the economic attributes surrounding each city’s role in relation to the environment. Sustainable practices, such as environmental engineering, architecture, and education, are discussed in order to examine the feasibility of potential ecological solutions. Chapter 4 examines the sociopolitical characteristics of each city to unveil the interrelatedness between politics, social justice, economics, and the environment. Theoretical concepts such as structural racism and environmental justice are included to provide examples of the severity of climate change and the societal implications inextricably linked to ecological crises. Chapter 5 provides a brief overview of previous chapters, along with several policy recommendations that each city could implement. Environmental crises must be addressed as multi-faceted issues in order to adequately provide feasible solutions.

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