The rising sea levels have been seen worldwide and in many different ways. For example, saltwater from the ocean has intruded into freshwater supplies for drinking and farming in Bangladesh. In Alaska, melting glaciers are causing coastal erosion, damaging homes, villages, and infrastructure.
This blog post will discuss the causes of sea-level rise and what can be done to help mitigate these issues with your lifestyle choices. We’ll also explore some resources you can use to learn more about climate change and how it impacts our oceans today!
Effects of the Sea Level Rising
The problem with rising sea levels is that they will affect more people. The effects are already being seen today, with scientists predicting the rising water levels in coastal areas. As we continue to pollute our environment, there will be an increase in climate change which will cause a rise in temperature and melting glaciers, leading to even higher water levels.
Sea Levels Importantance
Sea level rises are predicted to put over 2 billion people at risk of flooding by 2050 -There have been many cases where storms have caused devastation due to high waves and storm surges during hurricanes or typhoons. For example, Hurricane Sandy was one such storm.
Humans’ contribution to pollution in the atmosphere and melting glaciers is a few reasons the world has to face rising sea levels. The thermal expansion causes the seawater to become less dense, resulting in rising sea levels.
In 2019, an annual sea-level rise rate of 2.96 millimeters was reported. Satellite altimeters displayed a measurement of 3.43 millimeters in 2018.
What Damage Sea Levels Cause
With time, the contributors to sea-level rise will only worsen the problem. The world is swamping at an alarming level, and our strategies against it are equal to none. What’s unsettling about it is the consequences that might take place if the sea level continues to rise.
Economic Destruction
The increasing risks of significant changes in weather patterns can eventually lead to enthralling economic losses. The developing countries in Asia will not cope with the devastating physical damage to buildings and infrastructure. The extensive losses faced by businesses in coastal areas will result in unemployment, making the non-specialists suffer.
A threat to the habitation of all species
It could also disrupt the livelihood of millions of people. More than 300 million people will be homeless in no time, and farming and plantation will be destroyed at a disastrous level. Wild animals, insects, marine life, and birds will also suffer due to climate change.
Health and food crisis
A myriad of vegetation and crops will get affected by this catastrophic event. The disruption in the chemical balances of water beds and destructive erosion will lead to a significant health crisis. Middle to lower-income groups will not be able to survive the calamity. Agricultural soil will be of no use anymore as it will be contaminated by seawater.
Enhanced Flooding
People living near coasts will face risks from surged storms, stronger hurricanes, extreme rain, and other climate change effects. The drinking water contaminated by seawater will destroy the pace of life for millions of people.
Eradication of necessities
The risks of increasing water levels also threaten the availability of necessities such as education, communication, and internet access. Most of the underwired communications infrastructure lies in the way of these coastal areas.
These unsettling risks will come true if we don’t plan our strategies timely. Immediate action and strategic measures should be taken right now to avoid facing such circumstances in the future.
Conclusion
We need to take the effects of sea level rise more seriously. Unless you want to live underwater or up in a mountain somewhere, we need to curb human-caused pollution as much as possible.
You might be wondering what you can do to help the planet. One of the essential things is raising awareness about climate change and its means for our future. Fortunately, there are many resources available online at your fingertips to inform yourself on this topic—including a free sea-level rise map offered by NOAA.
