Looking east from the south side of the West Fork of the San Jacinto during Harvey. Photo courtesy of Harris County Flood Control District.
Unequal Impact of Mental Health Challenges
Section TS.B.5.2 says, “Mental health challenges increase with warming temperatures (high confidence), trauma associated with extreme weather (very high confidence), and loss of livelihoods and culture (high confidence). Distress sufficient to impair mental health has been caused by climate-related ecological grief associated with environmental change (e.g. solastalgia)…” [Emphasis added.]
The section continues, “Vulnerability to mental health effects of climate change varies by region and population, with evidence that Indigenous Peoples, agricultural communities, first responders, women, and members of minority groups experience greater impacts (high confidence).”
What Does Solastalgia Mean?
I’d never seen the word “solastalgia” before and had to look it up. It was difficult. Websters Third International Dictionary didn’t have it. The 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary didn’t have it either. But Wikipedia did have a discussion of it. It’s a neologism – a new word entering the language.
According to Wikipedia, “solastalgia” was coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht in his 2003 book Solastalgia: a new concept in human health and identity.[1] He describes it as “the homesickness you have when you are still at home” and your home environment is changing in ways you find distressing. In many cases, this relates to climate change, but more localized events such as volcanic eruptions, drought or destructive mining techniques can cause solastalgia as well.[2]
Solastalgia refers to the “distress specifically caused by environmental change while still in a home environment.”[3]
You like the serenity of living near water. Then Harvey floods your home without warning in the middle of the night and you narrowly escape with your life.
Solastalgia literally means “loss of solace.” Solace, in turn, means “comfort or consolation in a time of distress.” For instance, after the death of parent, you might seek solace by returning to the place where you grew up. But when you get there, you find a strip mine has obliterated the entire area. Now your grief doubles and you feel “solastalgia,” the loss of solace.
Distress Related to Income Level
Solastalgia affects people differently. Some groups are inherently more vulnerable and, therefore, may experience a greater sense of loss and grief. This study from a group of scholars at UCLA examined the impact of wildfires on psychological well-being.
They found a marked difference in the way high- and low-income groups processed loss. Those making more than $80,000 a year had resources to rebuild and experienced less grief. Those making less felt lost. The adverse financial impact of a fire felt insurmountable and left them with “clinically significant psychological distress.”
Those who lived in Houston during Hurricane Harvey can relate to this. Many are still trying to find the help to rebuild their homes and lives. The lucky ones moved on. Others still live among mold and rot, constant reminders of the day their lives changed forever.
I previously talked about flood psychology in terms of post traumatic stress disorder and re-traumatization. But I think solastalgia fits what I see better. Even 4.5 years after the flood. What do you think?
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/4/22
1648 Days after Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/HumbleFloodFromHCFCD-e1761946748900.jpg?fit=1100%2C821&ssl=18211100adminadmin2022-03-04 15:29:222022-03-04 15:42:28Word of the Day for Flood Victims: Solastalgia
Four months after Laurel Springs RV Resort contractors started tying into the Lakewood Cove storm sewer system, they may finally finish the job in the next few days. I spotted them yesterday and today, digging a trench from the pumps to the pond.
At their present rate of progress, and with gasoline prices spiraling out of control, one wonders whether RVs will be able to afford gas to get here when this job is complete.
Detention Pond Storm Sewer Tie In Started in Early December
Laurel Springs RV Resort detention pond drainage tie in as of 12/05/21. Contractor has tunneled under Laurel Springs Lane to Lakewood Cove storm sewer system on far side.Drainage plans approved by City of Houston for this portion of the job site. SE corner of detention pond below is in upper leftof diagram above.
Contractor Now Working on Approved Tie In
Wednesday around noon, 3/02/22, workers started excavating around the circular pump housing. By early morning 3/3/22, they had already laid the first section of pipe.By noon on 3/3/22, they had laid another section of pipe and were excavating their way to the corner of the pond.
Rec Center Being Framed Out
In separate news, workers started framing the RV Resort recreation building yesterday.
This shows the status on the morning of 3/3/22.
Spiraling Cost of Gasoline Could Affect Demand
I heard a story on the radio this morning that gasoline in Toronto has now topped $8.50 USD per gallon. With gasoline prices spiraling out of control, it’s unclear how many people will be traveling in RVs anytime soon. The larger ones get as little as 6 miles per gallon.
I remember taking a trip through the Yukon Territory several years ago when gasoline was half that price and seeing an RV fill up for more than $1000.
That’s comparable to the cost of a 2500 square-foot penthouse suite in a luxury 5-star hotel.
Now imagine doubling that cost to stay in something one tenth the size.
As they say in Hollywood, “Timing is everything in show business.” You could say the same for the RV park business.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/3/22
1647 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20220303-DJI_0535.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2022-03-03 15:16:502022-03-03 15:31:20RV Resort Detention-Pond Drain Finally Being Installed in Approved Location
Within the last week, the focus of dredging moved from the East Fork San Jacinto to the mouth of Rogers Gully on the west side of Lake Houston near the Walden Country Club. HCFCD conducted a dredging operation upstream from the Rogers Gully mouth bar in 2020. But the mouth bar itself is in Lake Houston, which is owned by the City of Houston. So this portion is the City’s responsibility.
Where dredging stopped in East Fork in late February. Looking South. Luce Bayou on upper left. FM1960 Bridge in upper right.Picture taken 2/27/22.Rogers Gully mouth bar has already been partially removed by the dredgers anchored in the distance for the evening.Looking east toward Huffman on far side of lake from over the Walden Country Club.Photo taken 3/1/22.
New Base of Operations Will Shorten Supply Lines
At the same time, the base of operations for dredging appears to be moving from the West Fork to a marina across the lake from Rogers Gully. The new drop off point for spoils is about 2.2 miles from Rogers Gully. Compare that to almost 7 miles to get from the East Fork to Berry Madden’s property south of River Grove Park on the West Fork.
New deposit site for dredging spoils on Fairlake Lane in Huffman.Photo taken 2/27/22.
Over the weekend, I photographed dredgers preparing the site and carting the first loads of sediment to a dirt/mulch company about six miles east on 1960.
Where spoils from Lake Houston are going on FM1960 toward 99.
The dirt company is about 2 miles inside the new Grand Parkway extension.
Looking south. New Grand Parkway extension crossing FM1960. Photo taken 2/27/22.
The new highway will open vast new areas for development and create ready markets for dredging spoils to elevate homes and build roads.
Focus Shifting to Inlets Around Lake
According to State Representative Dan Huberty, about $40 million remains in the dredging fund appropriated by the state legislature last year. He hopes that after inlets around the lake are cleaned out, that dredgers will return to the East Fork in the future to continue the effort there.
Pictures taken this afternoon show that in the last two days, the dredgers have taken a significant bite out of the Rogers Gully mouth bar, which in my opinion, was the worst of many smaller inlets around the lake.
Rogers Gully mouth bar in August of 2020. Compare to photos below to see progress already made.
The photos below tell the story.
Looking west from beyond one of the anchored dredges toward the mouth bar and the Walden Country Club in the top center.Still looking west at the partially removed mouth bar.Looking NNW.From here, tugs will ferry the pontoons toward the general vicinity of that white spot on the lake front in the upper right.Note the FM1960 bridge in the background.
Soon, the dredgers will finish with Rogers Gully and move on to the next inlet.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/1/22 with input from Dan Huberty
1645 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/20220301-DJI_0429.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2022-03-01 19:01:142022-03-01 19:09:52Dredgers Move to Rogers Gully from East Fork
Word of the Day for Flood Victims: Solastalgia
I learned a new word today: solastalgia. I came across it while reading the UN Intergovernmental Panel 2022 Report on Climate Change. There it was on page 17 of the Technical Summary.
Unequal Impact of Mental Health Challenges
Section TS.B.5.2 says, “Mental health challenges increase with warming temperatures (high confidence), trauma associated with extreme weather (very high confidence), and loss of livelihoods and culture (high confidence). Distress sufficient to impair mental health has been caused by climate-related ecological grief associated with environmental change (e.g. solastalgia)…” [Emphasis added.]
The section continues, “Vulnerability to mental health effects of climate change varies by region and population, with evidence that Indigenous Peoples, agricultural communities, first responders, women, and members of minority groups experience greater impacts (high confidence).”
What Does Solastalgia Mean?
I’d never seen the word “solastalgia” before and had to look it up. It was difficult. Websters Third International Dictionary didn’t have it. The 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary didn’t have it either. But Wikipedia did have a discussion of it. It’s a neologism – a new word entering the language.
According to Wikipedia, “solastalgia” was coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht in his 2003 book Solastalgia: a new concept in human health and identity.[1] He describes it as “the homesickness you have when you are still at home” and your home environment is changing in ways you find distressing. In many cases, this relates to climate change, but more localized events such as volcanic eruptions, drought or destructive mining techniques can cause solastalgia as well.[2]
Examples:
Deconstructing the Word
Solastalgia literally means “loss of solace.” Solace, in turn, means “comfort or consolation in a time of distress.” For instance, after the death of parent, you might seek solace by returning to the place where you grew up. But when you get there, you find a strip mine has obliterated the entire area. Now your grief doubles and you feel “solastalgia,” the loss of solace.
Distress Related to Income Level
Solastalgia affects people differently. Some groups are inherently more vulnerable and, therefore, may experience a greater sense of loss and grief. This study from a group of scholars at UCLA examined the impact of wildfires on psychological well-being.
They found a marked difference in the way high- and low-income groups processed loss. Those making more than $80,000 a year had resources to rebuild and experienced less grief. Those making less felt lost. The adverse financial impact of a fire felt insurmountable and left them with “clinically significant psychological distress.”
Those who lived in Houston during Hurricane Harvey can relate to this. Many are still trying to find the help to rebuild their homes and lives. The lucky ones moved on. Others still live among mold and rot, constant reminders of the day their lives changed forever.
I previously talked about flood psychology in terms of post traumatic stress disorder and re-traumatization. But I think solastalgia fits what I see better. Even 4.5 years after the flood. What do you think?
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/4/22
1648 Days after Hurricane Harvey
RV Resort Detention-Pond Drain Finally Being Installed in Approved Location
Four months after Laurel Springs RV Resort contractors started tying into the Lakewood Cove storm sewer system, they may finally finish the job in the next few days. I spotted them yesterday and today, digging a trench from the pumps to the pond.
At their present rate of progress, and with gasoline prices spiraling out of control, one wonders whether RVs will be able to afford gas to get here when this job is complete.
Troubled History of Project
The storm sewer tie in comes more than a month after an aborted attempt to dig a trench through the wall of their half-sized detention pond and install pipes that drained the resort’s stormwater directly into Edgewater Park. Both actions violated state and city permit requirements. They also caused the state, city and Harris County to launch four investigations into construction practices at the RV resort. Subsequently, the Harris County Attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to the resort’s owner and threatened a lawsuit.
Detention Pond Storm Sewer Tie In Started in Early December
Contractor Now Working on Approved Tie In
Rec Center Being Framed Out
In separate news, workers started framing the RV Resort recreation building yesterday.
Spiraling Cost of Gasoline Could Affect Demand
I heard a story on the radio this morning that gasoline in Toronto has now topped $8.50 USD per gallon. With gasoline prices spiraling out of control, it’s unclear how many people will be traveling in RVs anytime soon. The larger ones get as little as 6 miles per gallon.
I remember taking a trip through the Yukon Territory several years ago when gasoline was half that price and seeing an RV fill up for more than $1000.
That’s comparable to the cost of a 2500 square-foot penthouse suite in a luxury 5-star hotel.
Now imagine doubling that cost to stay in something one tenth the size.
As they say in Hollywood, “Timing is everything in show business.” You could say the same for the RV park business.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/3/22
1647 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
Dredgers Move to Rogers Gully from East Fork
Within the last week, the focus of dredging moved from the East Fork San Jacinto to the mouth of Rogers Gully on the west side of Lake Houston near the Walden Country Club. HCFCD conducted a dredging operation upstream from the Rogers Gully mouth bar in 2020. But the mouth bar itself is in Lake Houston, which is owned by the City of Houston. So this portion is the City’s responsibility.
New Base of Operations Will Shorten Supply Lines
At the same time, the base of operations for dredging appears to be moving from the West Fork to a marina across the lake from Rogers Gully. The new drop off point for spoils is about 2.2 miles from Rogers Gully. Compare that to almost 7 miles to get from the East Fork to Berry Madden’s property south of River Grove Park on the West Fork.
Over the weekend, I photographed dredgers preparing the site and carting the first loads of sediment to a dirt/mulch company about six miles east on 1960.
The dirt company is about 2 miles inside the new Grand Parkway extension.
The new highway will open vast new areas for development and create ready markets for dredging spoils to elevate homes and build roads.
Focus Shifting to Inlets Around Lake
According to State Representative Dan Huberty, about $40 million remains in the dredging fund appropriated by the state legislature last year. He hopes that after inlets around the lake are cleaned out, that dredgers will return to the East Fork in the future to continue the effort there.
Pictures taken this afternoon show that in the last two days, the dredgers have taken a significant bite out of the Rogers Gully mouth bar, which in my opinion, was the worst of many smaller inlets around the lake.
The photos below tell the story.
Soon, the dredgers will finish with Rogers Gully and move on to the next inlet.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/1/22 with input from Dan Huberty
1645 Days since Hurricane Harvey