What did we find

Current literature reveals some common patterns. They are as follows:
  • Mitigation and Resilience Matters
  • Hazards are Widespread
  • Impact Varies
  • Disaster Spurs Government Innovation

Flooding

Flooding is the leading natural disaster in Texas due to it's position as a major floodplain. Floodplains are concentrated area of floods and impact. Why does this matter?
  • Texas is one of 11 states in the Southern Floodplain
  • The state itself is riddled with floodplains

What is the impact?

​Socio-Economic Impact

We found a disproportionate impact On those with lower socio-economic status
​Mental & Physical Health

This includes the loss of property, physical injuries, and psychological. The
loss of property effects every other aspect.
​Geographic Implications

We found that floodplains are a useful tool, but are not sufficient to represent total impact. 
​Mitigation & Resilience 

We found that mitigation requires accurate data and that effective mitigation can reduce long term negative impacts.

Water Quality

Water quality is a measure of the sustainability of water for particular use based on select physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Nationwide water quality standards are established in The Clean Water Act (CWA), the central federal law that limits water pollution.

What is the impact?

Physical Environment 

Damaging activities can lead to increased runoff, pollution, and methane exposure. This leads to many negative impacts on citizens.​
​Human Health 

Poor water quality often means ill-suited drinking water. ​This can lead to poisoning, cancer, and disease. 
​Psychological Health

Poor water quality can lead to water insecurity and psychological damages, such as PTSD.
​Economic Intervention and Mitigation

The effects of poor water quality must be mitigated through federal funding and laws. One of the most notable efforts is seen in WHO's Health Strategy Plan. . 

Air Quality

High levels of pollutants within the air is considered a danger to human health and the environment.  The level of pollutants in the air is measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI); it provides a numerical value where the higher value means poor air quality and the lower the value represents good air quality.

What is the impact?

Multiple Causes

Pollutants created by people, such as emissions from factories or cars, and by natural events, such as dust and smoke from wildfires or volcanos.
Premature Death

Air Pollution is the largest environmental risk for premature death and can lead to higher rates of, cancer, heart/respiratory diseases, and stroke.
Most at Risk

The people most at risk are children. the elderly, and active adults. 
The Oil and Gas Industry

Texas is the largest energy-producing and energy-consuming state in the nation. This means that Texans are exposed to increased levels of ozone smog from oil and gas pollution as well as vehicle pollutants.