Illegal dumping has many negative effects on the environment and people alike. Illegal dumps can hold still water which creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes, allowing them to breed 100 times faster than normal. Mosquitoes carry dangerous diseases such as encephalitis, and as such can hurt humans. Also, dangerous chemicals can leach off of illegal dumps and bring harm to the surrounding area- including humans! Economic developers also do not want to build in areas with illegal dumps, which decreases property values. Placing more trash and recycling cans is a good idea so people do not litter.
Increased construction due to increased tourism is also an issue with various negative effects. Construction releases lots of CO2 emissions and other pollutants, which further harm people and the surrounding environment. Construction impacts can be decreased by designing sustainable construction projects. This isn’t something that can be done by the community, but can be done by those organizing the construction.
People stomping on the dunes in the Outer Banks have interrupted natural processes and displaced the once 140 foot tall dune into three 60-80 foot dunes. Dunes provide several ecosystem services, supporting and regulating. Dunes provide habitats for a multitude of species as a supporting service, and absorb energy of storms as a regulating service. Due to the flattening of the dunes, many species are displaced. Also, the dunes being flatter means they cannot absorb as much storm impact. Creating restoration areas for the dunes and creating specific trails to mitigate the stomping on the dunes can help.
