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Waves action

Continuous waves and tides gradually wear away the sand from dunes, especially during high tides or storms.

Storm surges

Hurricane and tropical storms can cause powerful waves that erode large sectios of dunes in a short time, exposing roads to damage.

Sea level rise

Rising sea levels from climate change reduce the width of beaches, making dunes more vulnerable to erosion.

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A road built along the Hampton’s located on Long Island’s South Shore is often destroyed during hurricanes and severe storms, therefore funds are needed to rebuild the road. The houses are built along the water and are worth millions of dollars, hence only the wealthy can afford the live there. However, the houses are only used in the summer or as a retreat by the owners. Additionally, some houses were destroyed due to the ocean waves.

Here lies a controversy because the taxpayers are tired of paying taxes to rebuild the road when there are other policies that are more important that needs the tax money for support, harder for residents to reach their homes, property values will decrease and more.

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Dune alteration for road construction

Building roads requires leveling and cutting through dunes, disrupting their natural structure and reducing their ability to act as a buffer against waves.

Removal of vegetation (like sea oat) that stabilizes dunes makes them more susceptible to erosion.

This vegetation like grasses and shrubs holding sand in place with their roots.

Building roads often require leveling or removal of parts of dunes to create a flat surface. this disrupt the natural protective barrier that dunes provide against wave action, storm surges, and wind erosion.

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Building roads alter the natural dune structures, and can accelerate erosions.

Storm surges and rising sea levels can also wash out or damage roads, requiring constant maintenance and leading to further environmental strain.

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Blocking sediment movement

Roads act as physical barrier that prevent the natural movement of sand along the coast.

Concentarion of erosion

Chnges in sediment flow caused by roads can lead to increased erosion in specific areas (down-drift), accelerating the loss of sand in adjacent dune systems.

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1. Stormwater Runoff

When it rains, stormwater runoff from roads can carry pollutants such as oil, grease, heavy metals (from vehicle exhaust) directly into nearby dune habitats. This will affect the dune as stormwater can easily flow into the sea

2. Chemical and Oil Spills

Accidental Spills to roads ( oils and fuels from vehicles ) can seep into the ground and nearby water bodies, contaminating the dune environment and harming both plant and animal life.

So, presence of these chemicals can inhibit plant growth in the dunes, damaging the vital vegetation that stabilizes the sand and provides habitat for wildlife.

3. Air Pollution

Vehicle Emissions: Car exhaust contains pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter, which can degrade air quality. These pollutants can affect the health of nearby dune vegetation, make coastal ecosystems more susceptible to climate change, and disrupt the behavior and health of wildlife.

Acid Rain: Emissions from vehicles can also contribute to the formation of acid rain, which can lower the pH of nearby soils and negatively affect plant life in dune ecosystems.

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Lowered Resilience to storms

Without intact dunes, roads and nearby areas are more directly exposed to the erosive force of waves, leading to faster and more severe erosion.

Channeling water

Roads can create paths for stromwater to flow directly into dunes, washing away sand and further weakening their structure.

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Dune road is a road made of sand that runs along the barrier of Long Island in Hamptons, separating the ocean from the bays.

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1. Environmental Responsibility and Accountability

- Definition: Environmental responsibility involves recognizing and taking actions to minimize negative impacts on the environment. It encompasses corporate and governmental obligations to protect natural resources and ecosystems, particularly from pollution or degradation.

- In the context of Dune Road: The local government’s continual rebuilding of Dune Road in a high-risk area raises concerns about environmental sustainability. The road is rebuilt in a region vulnerable to storms, flooding, and coastal erosion, contributing to environmental degradation. The ethical question is whether it is responsible for public funds to be used in a way that reinforces environmentally damaging practices, particularly when more sustainable and long-term solutions (such as managed retreat or better land use planning) could be pursued.

2. Transparency and Communication

- Definition: Transparency refers to openness in decision-making, processes, and actions, while communication involves clear, honest, and timely sharing of relevant information with the public, particularly when public safety is at risk.

- In the context of Dune Road: The government’s failure to communicate clearly about the risks of rebuilding in an environmentally sensitive area can erode public trust. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent, especially when it benefits a select few wealthy homeowners. Ethical governance requires providing transparent information about the costs, environmental impact, and long-term plans for areas like Dune Road, to allow for informed public debate and participation.

3. Equity and Fairness

- Definition: Equity and fairness involve ensuring that all individuals and communities are treated justly and that resources and benefits are distributed in a way that reflects the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups.

- In the context of Dune Road: There is an ethical issue regarding fairness in how government funds are allocated. Rebuilding Dune Road repeatedly benefits wealthy homeowners, many of whom use their properties only part-time, while other community needs (like healthcare, education, or infrastructure in lower-income areas) might be underfunded. Ethical governance would consider whether it is just to prioritize luxury properties for reconstruction while neglecting the needs of less affluent residents.To summarise ,Dune Road is home to multimillion-dollar properties, most of which are used as seasonal residences or weekend retreats. Many of these wealthy homeowners are able to afford the costs of rebuilding their homes, but the government steps in to use taxpayer money to rebuild the road each time a storm damages it. This raises an ethical question about whether it is fair for the broader population—particularly those who may not live on or near Dune Road, and who may not have the financial means to afford such luxury properties—to continually bear the financial burden of supporting the infrastructure that benefits a small, affluent group.

4. Government Accountability

- Definition: Government accountability refers to the responsibility of public officials and agencies to act in the best interest of the public, manage public resources effectively, and ensure transparency and fairness in decision-making.

- In the context of Dune Road: The local government is accountable to all its citizens, not just the wealthy homeowners on Dune Road. Ethical governance requires that the government considers the broader community's needs and invests in long-term solutions that benefit everyone, rather than continuously spending taxpayer money on a road that serves a small, affluent group. The government should be held accountable for its decisions regarding resource allocation and whether it is acting in the public interest or in the interest of a privileged few.

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Dune roads can contribute to climate change and be impacted by it in several ways. These effects stem from both the construction and use of the roads, as well as the environmental degradation they may cause.

Carbon emission from vehicles

Increase in traffic

Cars, trucks, and other vehicles emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, which are major contributors to climate change.

Impact on Coastal Communities and Livelihoods

Rising sea levels and damage infrastructure

Rising sea levels due to climate change pose a growing threat to coastal environments. Roads built on dunes are at risk of being submerged or damaged by rising waters, and the loss of dunes due to erosion will reduce the natural coastal protection against storms and flooding.

Increased Coastal Erosion and Loss of Natural Barriers

Coastal dunes helps on protecting coastal areas from flooding, however they can contribute to faster erosion when roads disrupt dunes. As it is disturbed by human activities, they could not protect against impacts of rising sea levels and storm surges.

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1. Issue: Government Funding for repairs

Solution: Limit government support for private loss

By changing the policy framework to discourage dependence on tax payer funding example like requiring private insuranc to cover storm-related damage. Which could helps to encourage private homes owners to take more responsibility

2. investment in the barrier island that protects the Long Island mainland

by elevating the Rand or build natural barrie like sand dunes, wetlands or sea walls to absorb storm impact which could benefit the environmental while reducing long term costs

3. Planting beach grass

Stabilize existing dune and encourage the growth of new dunes along the coastline

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Solution used:

1. Temporary Barriers

The town of Southampton authorized the temporary installation of Geocubes.

Expensive sandbags that can be used as a short-term storm barrier)

Flaws:

In the long term, the cubes can accelerate erosion if not managed properly.

2. Beach Replenishment

Regularly adding sand to eroding beaches to maintain their size and protect against storm surges.

Flaws:

Expensive and requires ongoing maintenance.

3. Retreat!

Moving structures away from the coastline to safer areas (since fighting the sea is not sustainable long-term)

Seen as a controversial but environmentally sustainable approach.

4. Environmental Restoration

Restoring natural buffers like wetlands, dunes and marshes to absorb wave energy and reduce erosion.