Sea Flooding: A Glimpse Into Our Future
What the Rising Sea Levels Means for Our Future
The undeniable truth is that human activities are the primary drivers of climate change, and the consequences of our actions are beginning to manifest. According to the International Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, “The report shows that emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1°C of warming since 1850–1900, and finds that averaged over the next 20 years, global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming”. One of the most pressing issues we face today is flooding, a harbinger of the multitude of problems that lie ahead. With sea levels rising steadily since the 1950s, the specter of sea flooding looms large, poised to impact every aspect of our lives, from social dynamics to economic stability. As Washington Post illustrates, “scientists found that many places are sinking faster than global sea levels are rising — increasing flood risk in coastal cities. (Sea levels are rising at an average global rate of about 3.4 millimeters, or 0.13 inches, per year)”. Particularly concerning is the fact that nearly 40% of the U.S. population resides near coastal areas and as time is going on, a higher influx of people are migrating to those areas, making the threat even more pervasive. As we witness the early signs of this growing problem, we must recognize that the effects of sea flooding on our economy, infrastructure, and well-being will soon surpass our ability to control the damage on the economy and infrastructure. In this blog, we will delve into the implications of sea flooding, exploring what it reveals about our future and what we can expect in the years to come.
Sea flooding is already leaving its mark on various aspects of our lives and the surrounding habitats and ecosystems. Let’s take a closer look at the current effects of sea flooding and how they are shaping our future.
Rising sea levels, caused by increasing temperatures, trigger a chain reaction of problems. The more frequent occurrence of floods is a direct result of sea levels surpassing the height of the land with less wind required to cause such inundation. Consequently, we are witnessing a rise in road closures, reduced storm drainage capacity, and the deterioration of infrastructure ill-equipped to withstand such water-related challenges. Alarmingly, this puts over 1 trillion dollars’ worth of property at risk and has profound implications for coastal communities and economies.
Furthermore, the escalating sea levels pose a significant threat to human health. Wastewater plants are at an increased risk of failure, leading to the seepage of harmful chemicals into our drinking water sources. This presents a hazardous situation that demands immediate attention.
The environmental consequences of rising sea levels are equally grave. Displaced wetlands and lowlands, eroded shorelines, exacerbated storm flooding and damage, and increased salinity of estuaries all contribute to a significant disruption of habitats and ecosystems. This not only impacts human populations but also has severe repercussions for countless species that depend on these fragile environments for their survival.
It is important to recognize that this issue extends far beyond the United States; it is a global problem that will affect millions of people worldwide. Even if we were to achieve the 2-degree goal set in the Paris Agreement, our oceans would continue to rise. Climate.gov demonstrates further, “By the end of the century, global mean sea level is likely to rise at least one foot (0.3 meters) above 2000 levels, even if greenhouse gas emissions follow a relatively low pathway in coming decades”. This would result in the loss of about 444,000 square miles of land, displacing an estimated 375 million individuals. Asian countries, particularly China, will be hit hardest, with a quarter of the sinking land located in this region. Major coastal cities like Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Kolkata are among those at risk. Moreover, critical infrastructure such as power plants, ports, navy bases, farmlands, and marshlands are all vulnerable. The potential consequences for our society are vast and unimaginable.
In conclusion, the continued rise of sea levels presents an existential threat to our world. The effects of sea flooding are already making themselves felt, impacting human lives, the environment, and vital infrastructure. It is a universal problem that demands urgent attention and collaborative efforts on a global scale. The time to act is now, for the sake of our future and the preservation of our planet.
