Sea-level rise

Definition

Sea-level rise refers to the increase in the average level of the world's oceans due to the melting of ice sheets and glaciers, as well as the thermal expansion of seawater as it warms. This phenomenon is a significant consequence of climate change and poses substantial risks to coastal communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Global sea levels have risen about 8 to 9 inches since 1880, with the rate accelerating in recent decades due to climate change.
2. By 2100, sea levels could rise by 1 to 4 feet if current trends continue, severely impacting coastal cities and low-lying areas.
3. Sea-level rise can lead to increased flooding during storms and high tides, which threatens infrastructure, ecosystems, and freshwater supplies.
4. Adaptation measures include building sea walls, restoring wetlands, and implementing managed retreat strategies for communities at risk.
5. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes that urgent action is needed to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions to slow down sea-level rise.

Review Questions

• How does sea-level rise influence coastal communities and what adaptation strategies can be implemented?
  • Sea-level rise poses significant threats to coastal communities by increasing the risk of flooding, erosion, and loss of habitat. Adaptation strategies include constructing sea walls to protect against storm surges, restoring natural barriers like wetlands to absorb floodwaters, and considering managed retreat where communities relocate from high-risk areas. These measures aim to reduce vulnerability while enhancing resilience against ongoing changes.
• Discuss the relationship between climate change and sea-level rise, including specific processes that contribute to this phenomenon.
  • Climate change directly contributes to sea-level rise through two main processes: the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, which adds freshwater to oceans, and thermal expansion of seawater as it warms. As global temperatures rise due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, these processes intensify, leading to higher sea levels. This relationship highlights the urgency for effective climate change mitigation strategies to slow down both global warming and its impacts on sea levels.
• Evaluate the potential long-term implications of unchecked sea-level rise on global populations and ecosystems.
  • Unchecked sea-level rise could have dire long-term implications for global populations, especially those in coastal areas where millions live. It could lead to the displacement of entire communities, loss of arable land due to saltwater intrusion, and destruction of vital ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs that provide natural protection. The cascading effects would strain resources and infrastructure, escalate socio-economic disparities, and prompt conflicts over diminishing land and water resources, making comprehensive policy responses essential.

Related terms

Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily driven by human activities like burning fossil fuels, which leads to global warming.

Greenhouse Gases: Gases such as carbon dioxide and methane that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.

Coastal Erosion: The process by which coastlines are eroded by wave action, currents, tides, or human activity, often exacerbated by rising sea levels.