When you think of global warming, what do you think is effected first? People? Animals? Plant life? Sure, these earth inhabitants are all effected, but one thing we fail to remember is the one thing that covers the majority of our planet. Water.
Due to global warming and the effects of pollutants in our water, the Panama Canal could soon be a closed door between the Atlantic and the Pacific. The canal depends entirely upon rain water, not seawater, to fill its locks. With the decreasing amount of rain, the canal could dry up and possibly shut down, ending its reign of ninety four years.
But when one door closes, another opens, correct? Well, maybe. Recently, many people have been working on alternate paths from sea to shining sea. One option is the Gaillard Cut. This is an excavation through the continental divide that is in the process of being widened. If sucessful, this now 8 1/2 mile path will be wider and easier for ships to access.
Also in the deep norhtwest of Canada, a new passage is being formed through the Canadian archipelago. This creates major competition with the Panama Canal for business. If this route were to form, it would cut the journey from Europe to the far East by over 4,700 miles. Wow. With a decreasing water level, can the Panama Canal really stay in the game much longer? There are problems related to global warming in even this majestic case. Since this path was created by global warming and ice melting, there are large icebergs ready to sail down the waterway. These create huge hazards for any ship coming down since even a tiny iceberg can take down a ship.
I hope so. The reason for this oncoming drought is deforestation. Since Panama has been ravenously clear cutting their precious forests, the rain water takes a new route to the sea rather than locks. Problem? I’d say so. People are all about today, today, today. What about tomorrow? By institution a new business that is killing our environment, we lose another one. Why? Because we can’t keep our earth healthy and clean. Instead of a destructive path to deforestation and global warming, shift focus to trade for income and restore this landmark canal. Win-win. Saved environment and canal, same amount, if not more, business. I believe it now becomes clear which path is the right one to take because the tides, they are a-changin’.
for more on these topics check out:
http://www.riverdeep.net/current/2000/12/120800_panama.jhtml
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87851345&ft=1&f=1025
March 13, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Global Warming Causing All These Problems?
Your article, although well written, lacks evidence of its subject matter.
Global warming is non-existant. It is a niche created philosophy. I tell you what. Share your dialogue with people living in the north, like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and all other northern states from west to east and they will laugh.
Panama Canal in threat of losing its prominence due to fresh water? Please get your facts straight. There are two seasons in Panama, WET and NOT SO WET. But believe me, it is torrential and has plenty of water. Yes the decline of the jungle is diverting fresh water to oceans however, this pattern will soon change with newly planned systems to divert the water as needed.
I may sound somewhat upset with your thoughtful article, but I am not. I say again that your foundation for it is probably influenced by news media.
Due some study on the heating trends over the last 150 years and you will find that we actually are in a cooling trend.