Iowa Faces Depression Below Sea Level
In the heart of the Midwest, the city of Davenport, Iowa, has been grappling with the effects of climate change and modernization for years. As the largest city on the Mississippi River without a flood wall to protect its banks, Davenport has faced numerous challenges that have disrupted local businesses, homes, and cultural hubs.
The Great Flood of 1993 left a lasting impression on the city, causing extensive damage and the need for extensive levee maintenance. Since then, the city has been faced with a constant question: build flood walls and push the problem downstream or leave nature alone and risk further damage.
By June 2019, at least one million acres of land in the Midwest were flooded, causing over $1.5 billion in damages in Iowa alone. The construction of flood walls is expensive, with estimates for one wall in Davenport reaching over $175 million. Yet, the lack of detailed updates on plans for renewing the riverbank fortifications in Davenport remains a concern.
The speaker, a resident of New York City with roots in the Midwest, has taken it upon themselves to document flood seasons in the region. Their motivation is twofold: to educate others about the changes happening in their home region and the world at large, and to shed light on the often overlooked effects of climate change on the Midwest.
The speaker's work highlights the importance of understanding the origins of food and the people who produce it. In Davenport, the Mississippi River played a significant role in the city's culture and activities during the speaker's childhood. However, the flooding in the Midwest has resulted in water pollution, chemical runoff in cities, inability to plant farm ground, and loss of livestock pasture, creating a dangerous cycle in rural and urban areas alike.
The speaker's work serves to bring attention to the often overlooked effects of climate change on the Midwest and the people who live there. They remind us of the origins of our food and those who produce it, urging us to consider the impact of climate change on those regions.
Despite minimal national news coverage, the speaker's work aims to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on the Midwest, a region that is often underrepresented in national news. By documenting flood seasons and the changes happening in the Midwest, the speaker hopes to inspire others to take action and understand the importance of preserving our natural resources.
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