Even with that, the large number of people in Hampton Roads is apparently stressing the area through a series of methods, such as constructing wherever they find place to do so (Koebel). In contrast to most people in Virginia Beach that are reluctant to care for the environment, there are some who actually do anything they can to preserve the area's surroundings. Although land is becoming more and more expensive in the territory, the Crystal Club environmental group proves that there are people who care. The group's members are willing to give up a large part of their land with the purpose of building a tidal marsh and an oyster reef there (Harper).

Considering that Virginia Beach is a coastal community, it is particularly important for people to realize the importance of land and natural resources. The Hampton Roads area is affected by a great deal of human activities, such as seismic profiling and drilling, changing the underwater environment and destroying its ecosystem. These activities also produce intense sounds that affect animals in the area, particularly endangered species of whales. Coastal waters are also affected as a result of "blowouts, spills and wastes" (Almond).

Some people are apparently more interested in the profits they gain than in the environment, given that they are unhesitant about damaging nature. Human caused destructions of the environment...

Weather phenomena are recognized for the intensity with which they strike the area. Hurricanes have made their presence felt in the territory numerous times; greatly affecting the environment in addition to the material damage it produces (Almond).
People living in Hampton Roads have been presented with an ethical dilemma when they came across the information that their coastal waters could produce significant amounts of electric energy. It is of course difficult to ignore the potential of alternative sources of energy, but given that there are influential persons who are more interested in technology and profits than in the safety of the environment.

Works cited:

1. Almond, William D. "Offshore 101: Our fragile ecosystem is in peril." Retrieved December 13, 2010, from the Hampton Roads Website: http://www.link757.com/2006/03/offshore-101%3A-our-fragile-ecosystem-peril

2. Harper, Scott. "Virginia Beach's Crystal Lake ecosystem is focus of restoration." Retrieved December 13, 2010, from the Hampton Roads Website: http://hamptonroads.com/2008/09/virginia-beachs-crystal-lake-ecosystem-focus-restoration

3. Koebel, Theodore C. "The complex housing ecology of Hampton Roads." Retrieved December 13, 2010, from the Virginia Issues and Answers Website: http://www.via.vt.edu/fall07/feature3.pdf