User:J.J Skymaster7755 Infinite Skies/sandbox

A variety of enviromental issues that affect health, wildlife, the streams and more are exsistant in Hawthorne Park. These issues include land pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and climate change.

Climate Change and Global Warming

Climate change and global warming are potential issues for Hawthorne Park, as well as most environments in BC, Canada. Global warming is predominantly caused by greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by humans, and as such will almost certainly continue to worsen the issues. In the last hundred years or so, the average temperature of certain regions of BC have increased between 0.5 - 1.7 degrees Celsius, with projections estimating a probable increase of 0.9 - 1.8 degrees Celsius by 2080. . Increase in water, weather and climate catastrophes through the last 30 years are thought to be attributed to the changing climate. The City of Surrey projects that in the future, there will be hotter summers, increased frequency of rain and wind weather, higher scarcity of water, and that drier weather will incite more forest fires. All those factors may effect wildlife and natural environments in Hawthorne Park.

Land Pollution

Land pollution, or soil pollution, is when pollutants or harmful chemicals get into the soil and changes its quality. There is currently a large amount of litter residing in Hawthorne Park, comprised mainly or food packaging, cigarette butts or filters, furniture and other things of sorts. Ducks, coyotes and other wildlife could mistake the litter for food and ingest, resulting in illnesses, diseases and even death. In addition, the consummation of litter can block the intestinal tract of animals, which may lead to malnutrition and starvation. Furthermore, there is also the chance that the animals at Hawthorne Park could get tangled up in plastic material and suffocate, or get crushed by heavy objects.

Water Pollution

oil substance floating on water in Hawthorne Park

Litter and chemicals have been found in Hawthorne Creek and Bon Accord Creek, which can change the pH level, affect the turbidity , and destroy habitats. An acidic or alkaline pH level can result in the death of insects, fish and plants in the water, while a high turbidity prevents sunlight from reaching aquatic plants requiring photosynthesis. The origins of the chemical substances in the water are probably the storm drains, car fluids, cigarette butts or filter and possibly even drugs in the proximity. Cigarettes especially, can leak many toxic chemicals into the water, that may harm the aquatic ecosystems Aside from the chemicals, Littering and the dumping of large objects destroy plant life, as well as the habitats of animals or insects Finally, animals, such as dogs, take in nitrates and nitrites from their food, which may cause eutrophication with contact to the water.

Noise Pollution

Hawthorne park is located directly under several different flight paths due the nearby YVR. As shown by Vancouver Internation Airport's "Web Track-YVR” web tool, multiple flight paths go directly above Hawthrone Park.

Flight Paths: http://www.yvr.ca/Libraries/ENV_Docs/Aircraft_Flight_Routings_-_Final.sflb.ashx\