Raising water levels is posing a threat to people’s homes and their livelihoods. There is a need to give attention to the issue of climate change, as it exacerbates issues such as sea level change. Scientists have been keeping tabs on seawater changes and warn that if no measures are taken, the situation will have escalated beyond repair in 2050.
What are rising sea levels?
Rising sea levels is an increase in the volume of water in oceans. Global warming is the main catalyst for rising sea levels. Sea water levels are measured in fractions of an inch annually. Data shows that sea levels have risen by 8-9 inches since the 80s. In 2023, average rise in sea levels was higher than in 1993 by 3.99 inches. It is the highest record since 1993. In some areas, the sea level rise was up to 8 inches. There are differences in sea levels because of various ocean currents and winds that differ in strength, determining how much heat is maintained in the ocean.
Data collected from 2006 to 2015 shows that sea levels have changed at an average rate of 0.14 inches yearly. Sea level change in the 1900s was relatively slower, going at 0.06 inches each year. Unfortunately, sea level change is expected to continue throughout the 21st century, even if there are substantial efforts to combat global warming.
Why is sea level change a concern?
Sea level rise can cause coastal flooding, threatening millions of people’s lives. Additionally, many people could be displaced by the flooding. Experts estimate that 410 million people will be affected by sea level change by 2100.
United Nations mentioned that Bangladesh, Netherlands, China, and India will be widely affected by rising sea levels. UN stated that there are 900 million people in low-lying coastal areas. The sea levels are expected to exceed 10cm in Europe before 2050. In Tonga, sea levels are rising at twice the rate of the rest of the world. Research shows that in the next two to three decades, some communities will have been displaced from coastal areas. By 2050, experts project that 1,100 buildings in coastal areas will experience monthly flooding.
As such, countries worldwide are taking measures to mitigate the risk for their people. For instance, in New Zealand, people are not allowed to put up public housing in areas at high risk of flooding. Surge barriers, sea walls, and other ocean control measures have been implemented in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. In South Korea, floating homes are being experimented with, while India and China collect stormwater for reuse. In Fiji, 42 villages are set to be relocated in the next five years, while six have already been relocated.
Causes of rising seawater levels
The primary cause of rising seawater levels is climate change. Climate change is causing melting ice and thermal expansion.
Melting ice
Ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland are melting at high rates since 1993. Climate change has caused temperatures to increase in the polar regions, causing ice sheets to melt into the ocean. Satellite data indicates that the Greenland ice sheets produce around 270 billion tons of ice into the ocean annually.
Thermal expansion
Laws of science suggest that when water is heated, it expands. 90% of heat from global warming is trapped in the deeper layers of the ocean. Scientists suggested that a third of sea rise can be attributed to thermal expansion since 2004.
As thermal expansion and melting ice contribute too much to the rising sea levels, some local factors could cause the situation.
Tectonic shifts
The earth plates moving can cause substantial changes to the land. For instance, the 2011 earthquake that hit Japan made the Honshu coast fall by 0.6 meters. Additionally, California is experiencing a slow lift.
Geography of the area
Human activities such as blocking rivers to make dams, groundwater removals, mining, and sand mining can lead to land sinking. When land sinks, the sea rises to match the shore, resulting in rising water levels. In the 1900s, different parts of Shanghai, Jakarta, Bangkok, and New Orleans experienced land sinking up to 10 feet. Norfolk, Virginia, also experienced land sinking due to the city being built on unstable grounds.
Effects of rising sea levels
Rising sea levels will increase extreme weather incidents. Additionally, there will be more incidents of tidal flooding, coastal erosion, economic stress, and drinking water contamination.
Tidal flooding
Tidal floods occur when the tides become stronger than usual and flood coastal areas. Scientists suggest that by 2050, the US will experience tidal flooding for up to 85 days a year.
Coastal erosion
Tidal flooding and storm surges will lead to land loss in coastal areas. The loss goes beyond land degradation, as local communities will lose their culture after being relocated. Estimates say that around 4.4 million acres of American land will be below the shoreline by 2050.
Economic stress
Due to rising sea levels, America has already lost approximately $500 million in property. Additionally, 300 energy facilities are currently in imminent danger of coastal flooding. Estimates say that the world will pay around $14 trillion annually to mitigate risks of coastal flooding and relocate the destroyed property and people.
Contamination of drinking water
Constant flooding means that salt water is getting into inland fresh water. It can be a big threat as it poses water insecurity. Salt water also affects coastal crops that use fresh water to grow.
Conclusion
Rising sea levels pose a threat to the lives and livelihoods of millions of people across the globe. As such, countries must take mitigation measures to stop rising sea levels from adversely affecting coastal populations. The effects of rising sea levels include economic stress, tidal flooding, coastal erosion, and displacement of people. The situation is set to get worse as the decade progresses, with 400 million people potentially displaced from coastal areas. As such, quick action from governments and policymakers is needed to ensure the safety of populations. Additionally, countries need to get ahead of climate change and global warming
Raising water levels is posing a threat to people’s homes and their livelihoods. There is a need to give attention to the issue of climate change, as it exacerbates issues such as sea level change. Scientists have been keeping tabs on seawater changes and warn that if no measures are taken, the situation will have escalated beyond repair in 2050.
What are rising sea levels?
Rising sea levels is an increase in the volume of water in oceans. Global warming is the main catalyst for rising sea levels. Sea water levels are measured in fractions of an inch annually. Data shows that sea levels have risen by 8-9 inches since the 80s. In 2023, average rise in sea levels was higher than in 1993 by 3.99 inches. It is the highest record since 1993. In some areas, the sea level rise was up to 8 inches. There are differences in sea levels because of various ocean currents and winds that differ in strength, determining how much heat is maintained in the ocean.
Data collected from 2006 to 2015 shows that sea levels have changed at an average rate of 0.14 inches yearly. Sea level change in the 1900s was relatively slower, going at 0.06 inches each year. Unfortunately, sea level change is expected to continue throughout the 21st century, even if there are substantial efforts to combat global warming.
Why is sea level change a concern?
Sea level rise can cause coastal flooding, threatening millions of people’s lives. Additionally, many people could be displaced by the flooding. Experts estimate that 410 million people will be affected by sea level change by 2100.
United Nations mentioned that Bangladesh, Netherlands, China, and India will be widely affected by rising sea levels. UN stated that there are 900 million people in low-lying coastal areas. The sea levels are expected to exceed 10cm in Europe before 2050. In Tonga, sea levels are rising at twice the rate of the rest of the world. Research shows that in the next two to three decades, some communities will have been displaced from coastal areas. By 2050, experts project that 1,100 buildings in coastal areas will experience monthly flooding.
As such, countries worldwide are taking measures to mitigate the risk for their people. For instance, in New Zealand, people are not allowed to put up public housing in areas at high risk of flooding. Surge barriers, sea walls, and other ocean control measures have been implemented in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. In South Korea, floating homes are being experimented with, while India and China collect stormwater for reuse. In Fiji, 42 villages are set to be relocated in the next five years, while six have already been relocated.
Causes of rising seawater levels
The primary cause of rising seawater levels is climate change. Climate change is causing melting ice and thermal expansion.
Melting ice
Ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland are melting at high rates since 1993. Climate change has caused temperatures to increase in the polar regions, causing ice sheets to melt into the ocean. Satellite data indicates that the Greenland ice sheets produce around 270 billion tons of ice into the ocean annually.
Thermal expansion
Laws of science suggest that when water is heated, it expands. 90% of heat from global warming is trapped in the deeper layers of the ocean. Scientists suggested that a third of sea rise can be attributed to thermal expansion since 2004.
As thermal expansion and melting ice contribute too much to the rising sea levels, some local factors could cause the situation.
Tectonic shifts
The earth plates moving can cause substantial changes to the land. For instance, the 2011 earthquake that hit Japan made the Honshu coast fall by 0.6 meters. Additionally, California is experiencing a slow lift.
Geography of the area
Human activities such as blocking rivers to make dams, groundwater removals, mining, and sand mining can lead to land sinking. When land sinks, the sea rises to match the shore, resulting in rising water levels. In the 1900s, different parts of Shanghai, Jakarta, Bangkok, and New Orleans experienced land sinking up to 10 feet. Norfolk, Virginia, also experienced land sinking due to the city being built on unstable grounds.
Effects of rising sea levels
Rising sea levels will increase extreme weather incidents. Additionally, there will be more incidents of tidal flooding, coastal erosion, economic stress, and drinking water contamination.
Tidal flooding
Tidal floods occur when the tides become stronger than usual and flood coastal areas. Scientists suggest that by 2050, the US will experience tidal flooding for up to 85 days a year.
Coastal erosion
Tidal flooding and storm surges will lead to land loss in coastal areas. The loss goes beyond land degradation, as local communities will lose their culture after being relocated. Estimates say that around 4.4 million acres of American land will be below the shoreline by 2050.
Economic stress
Due to rising sea levels, America has already lost approximately $500 million in property. Additionally, 300 energy facilities are currently in imminent danger of coastal flooding. Estimates say that the world will pay around $14 trillion annually to mitigate risks of coastal flooding and relocate the destroyed property and people.
Contamination of drinking water
Constant flooding means that salt water is getting into inland fresh water. It can be a big threat as it poses water insecurity. Salt water also affects coastal crops that use fresh water to grow.
Conclusion
Rising sea levels pose a threat to the lives and livelihoods of millions of people across the globe. As such, countries must take mitigation measures to stop rising sea levels from adversely affecting coastal populations. The effects of rising sea levels include economic stress, tidal flooding, coastal erosion, and displacement of people. The situation is set to get worse as the decade progresses, with 400 million people potentially displaced from coastal areas. As such, quick action from governments and policymakers is needed to ensure the safety of populations. Additionally, countries need to get ahead of climate change and global warming
){kind=link}