(BOWIE – September 24, 2022) – Have you ever spoken with an environmental scientist? Well, I have, and this is what I found:
What is your name?
- Craig Osman Freeland, Jr.
- What impact is climate change already having on housing in Prince George’s?
- Climate change is and will continue to impact housing in multiple ways. This summer, a higher frequency of storms and intense heatwaves has stressed out homeowners and renters alike. The slew of storms we experienced increased occurrences of flooding in peoples’ homes and businesses. It has been disheartening to see friends in the area throw away their valuables after a basement flooding. But even more concerning are the health implications that come with mold growth and possible bacterial exposure. Heatwaves have driven up electricity costs for many people, creating an economic burden on low and middle-income residents. Not only is there the increased financial burden, there is also a higher rate of outages in areas experiencing heatwaves, which is a public health concern as we think of people that require electricity for healthcare devices such as oxygen tanks and concentrators.
- How will climate change worsen in our area?
- As the rate of climate change increases, the issues mentioned earlier will increase as well. But there are a host of other issues that will come about if climate change isn’t addressed quickly and efficiently. Temperatures in our area will rise, stormwater issues will worsen, and increasing rainfall will raise the water levels of many local bodies of water like the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. A changing climate also has lasting implications for our way of life and economy. Warmer waters can have a negative impact on existing marine and terrestrial wildlife, which is important to consider as a coastal state that prides itself on fresh and healthy seafood.
- What causes flooding in our area?
- Flooding is caused by a mixture of factors. Some are human-derived and others would happen regardless of our presence. But to dive into what human activities cause flooding, a big factor is impermeable surfaces, which are surfaces that water can’t absorb into. Our roads, parking lots, and driveways all cover up soil that would typically filter rainwater as it travels down into underground aquifers. It’s like putting a stopper on the drain of a sink or bathtub.
- What is your main area of expertise in environmental science?
- Most of my experience with environmental work has been as an educator, so I would say that I am a generalist. It’s important to have a wide knowledge base when communicating with people that may or may not have environmental issues on their radar because it’s important to meet people where they are. My goal as an environmental educator is to connect people to themselves, their community, and their local environment with the goal of empowering them to take action. I’m still very young so I’ve got a lot to learn and hope to one day have my own community-based environmental program.
