Scientists warn that rising sea levels will be disastrous, however they also state that it is within our power to not only defend against rising tides, but also to reduce the rate at which they rise.
As reviewed in an Inhabitat article, Benjamin Strauss is a scientist who has published reports on rising sea level. As Strauss has said, “Sea level rise is like an invisible tsunami, building force while we do almost nothing… We have a closing window of time to prevent the worst by preparing for higher seas.”
As described by Climate Central: “Warming has acted in two main ways: by heating up and thus expanding the global ocean; and by attacking glaciers and polar ice sheets, pouring meltwater and icebergs into the sea. The planet has heated by more than one degree Fahrenheit over the last century, rising faster as we have burned coal, oil and gas faster, and so sent ever more heat-trapping gases into the air. Scientists overwhelmingly agree that these building gases are responsible for most of the warming observed thus far.”
Despite our perilous trajectory it is not too late if we act now. If we significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions then we may be able to avoid a sea level rise that would cause worldwide destruction and ultimately interrupt our food chains.
To see the flood levels in your area click here.
© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
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