Seven crazy things that are going to happen as sea levels rise

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Storm surge on Queensland's Gold Coast (image via scienceimage.csiro.au).

There is no doubt sea levels are rising but how are we preparing to deal with the devastating consequences? Asks John Hawthorne.




Why are sea levels rising?

City of London, UK (Image via sealevel.climatecentral.org)

There isn’t much doubt that sea levels are rising. From 1880-2009, the global sea level rose approximately eight inches (20 centimetres). That means that all the oceans are now approximately eight inches higher now than they were 150 years ago.

Even more frightening, the average annual rate of the global rise dramatically increased from 1993-2008, up 65-90 per cent over the previous years. The waters are rising faster, with the U.S. East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico increasing at the fastest rate.

But why is this happening? There are several reasons.

As humans have increased greenhouse gases as well as cut down the world’s forests, the overall temperature has risen about 1.4 degrees since 1880. This rise in temperature has caused the ocean waters to get warmer, which in turn, causes them to expand. Expanding waters leads to higher levels.

Additionally, the warming waters are causing the ice caps, glaciers and ice sheets of the world to melt, which is then funnelling water into the oceans. As more and more ice melts, the seas will continue to rise.

How much are the oceans going to continue rising? It’s an inexact science since so many variables are at play but general estimates can be made.

Even if all contributing factors immediately stopped, it’s likely that the oceans will rise between 1.2-2.6 feet (37-79 centimetres) by 2100. If things continue at their current pace, sea levels could rise as much as 6.6 feet (2 metres). The main factor determining the sea levels will be how quickly the world’s ice continues to melt.

National Geographic puts it this way:

'Oceans will likely continue to rise as well, but predicting the degree to which they will rise is an inexact science. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says we can expect the oceans to rise between 11 and 38 inches (28 to 98 centimetres) by 2100, enough to swamp many of the cities along the U.S. East Coast. More dire estimates, including a complete meltdown of the Greenland ice sheet, place sea level rise to 23 feet (7 metres), enough to submerge London.'

What’s going to happen as sea levels rise? 

City Of Durban, South Africa (Image via sealevel.climatecentral.org)

1. It’s going to screw up our farming

What do plants need to survive? Water. Fresh, clean water. When you pour a cup of coffee on an office plant, you kill it. When you pour polluted water on a plant, you suck the life out of it. And, when you pour saltwater on a plant, you destroy it.



2. It’s going to pollute our drinking water


As our sea levels rise and the water comes further ashore, it’s going to start sinking into our freshwater sources in the ground. Coastal areas rely on these sources for freshwater and their pollution could be catastrophic.

This is why numerous communities are already working to install desalinisation plants which will transform saltwater into freshwater. As levels continue to rise, this kind of project will become increasingly pressing.

3. The economy will suffer

Hundreds of coastal communities rely on the ocean to sustain their economies. As sea levels rise, those economies will take an enormous hit and entire industries may be destroyed.


City of Mumbai, India (Image via sealevel.climatecentral.org.)

4. It will significantly alter plant life


Trees, in particular, will struggle as it’s difficult for them to extract water from salty soil. Their growth may be stunted and some species may disappear altogether.

5. The wildlife will suffer

Hundreds of thousands of animals make their home along the coast. As the ocean levels rise, their homes will be disrupted, altered and even destroyed. Birds, turtles and all manner of wildlife will either die off or be forced to dramatically adapt.


6. Flooding will get worse

Currently, tidal increases occur twice each month during full and new moons. The combined gravitational pull of the sun and moon cause the tide to rise a bit higher along the coast. Usually, these tidal increases don’t cause problems, although occasionally flooding can occur depending on water levels, storms and winds.

As sea levels increase, tidal flooding events will become significantly worse. Already, some coastal areas are seeing flooding happen at a 400 per cent greater rate since 1970.


The Union of Concerned Scientists report states:

By 2045, many coastal communities are expected to see roughly one foot [30 centimetres] of sea level rise. The resulting increases in tidal flooding will be substantial and nearly universal in the 52 communities analysed.



New York City, USA (Image via sealevel.climatecentral.org.)

7. Donald Trump will lose valuable property


South Florida, in particular, where Trump Hollywood is located, is often called the ground zero of the rising tides.

As the New Yorker reports:

'Of all the world’s cities, Miami ranks second in terms of assets vulnerable to rising seas – No.1 is Guangzhou – and in terms of population it ranks fourth, after Guangzhou, Mumbai and Shanghai. A recent report on storm surges in the United States listed four Florida cities among the eight most at risk. (On that list, Tampa came in at No.1.) For the past several years, the daily high-water mark in the Miami area has been racing up at the rate of almost an inch a year, nearly ten times the rate of average global sea-level rise.


How are cities preparing?

Clearly, cities need to begin making preparations for the incoming tides and many coastal towns, both in the U.S. and around the world have begun doing just that.

As the Climate Institute's Erin Thread notes regarding New York City:


The only question is, will it be enough?



This article was originally published on moboxmarine.com and is republished with permission.

Sydney storm event 4 June 2016.

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Seven crazy things that are going to happen as sea levels rise

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