Houston's Environmental Sustainability with Regards to its Population Size (Is the City in Danger?)

Arjhong Mardani
Global Politics
Mr.Roddy
September 20, 2018
Houston's Environmental Sustainability with Regards to its Population Size (Is the City in Danger?)
A brief answer to this question is yes, Houston is in Environmental Sustainability danger. But what is ignored are the factors in which are causing such an issue for Houston. Can Houston change its ways, opr is it too late to turn back?
Houston, Texas currently stands as the fourth largest city in the United States and is currently taking a spot in the top 100 of the largest cities in the entire world, as number 76.
But surely one would think such a large and prosperous city would be very technologically advanced, economically sustainable, and other factors that would add to such a large city. One major component to a Sustainable City is its environment. Unfortunately Houston has seemed to partake in an unhealthy environmental habit, with large energy consumption, lack of a real and environmentally sustainable public transport. All of this makes one wonder how did this all come to be in such a large city and how can it change?
 Houston currently withholds a population of  3.3 million, and its continuously growing at an alarming rate, just last year, Houston Metro recorded its numbers growing by over 90,000 individuals. (Image below demonstrates Houston's rapid linear population growth since the year 1990→modern day)
This in my opinion is what has caused Houston to be in environmental danger. With such an immense number of people, there is an excess number of motor vehicles due to Houston’s lack off an efficient public transportation. The waste production is high, consumption is high due to such a large population with demands and needs. Houston is unprepared for Hurricanes as they have just had three major floods just last year, which drop them lower and lower in environmental sustainability. (Below is an image Houston's Hurricane Harvey)
Homes are lost, homelessness spikes, pollution and diseases spread into the water and most of all, the changes made in result of these issues are minimal for a true future in Environmental Sustainability.
The only way I see any positive changes occurring is relying on very basic issues, which can/cannot be fixed. One, a lack of  a true eco friendly public transportation, which is something that can be fixed. Another would be upgrading in drainage systems which is less doable at the immediate moment. A decrease in water and resource consumption, and most of all, decrease in population size (least doable). All of these are grueling issues to be fixed and cannot happen in the course of a year or even ten. I am not sure if Houston can make a comeback, I believe it will continue to move forward with its current ways, until a point of no coming back.


Work Cited:
Murphy, Robert, and Charles Gleek. Global Politics: Supporting Every Learner across the IB Continuum. Pearson Education Limited, 2016.
“US City Populations 2018.” Total Population by Country 2018, worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/.
“World Cities.” A Faculty Guide to Student Academic Integrity - Baruch College, www.baruch.cuny.edu/nycdata/world_cities/largest_cities-world.htm.

Comments

Mr. Roddy said…
Great post with excellent data guides/pictures. That really enhanced your thoughts! I wonder if there is something about social sustainability or economic aspects that keeps us from being a more environmentally-conscience city?
September 26, 2018 at 2:23 PM
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