Sea Levels | global-warming

Glaciers & Ice Caps

Temperature rise results from two different impacts. Glaciers and ice caps world wide will melt, adding to the volume of water in the oceans and as ocean water warms, it also expands and being stuck in a limited amount of space the water has nowhere to go but up.

A report from the Natural Resources Defense Council says that sea levels have already risen 4 to 8 inches in the past century and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that sea levels will rise 10 to 23inches by 2100.

Click here to learn more from the NRDC.

Saltwater Intrusion

Sea level rise can mean that as saltwater builds up and floods, the excess saltwater runs off into freshwater caps and contaminates our drinking water. Rising sea levels forces saltwater to the zone of dispersion (where freshwater and saltwater meet) adding saltwater to the freshwater.

Click here to learn more from Union of Concerned Scientists.

Impact On Civilization

If sea levels rise, many coastal areas will face possible flooding. This will lead to mass migrations to other parts of the world which could possibly result in overpopulation on those areas. Overporpulation has been said to possibly cause conflicts and may even mean national guard interference is needed. Water resouces will become less abundant and water contimation can most likely lead to sickness.

Global Warming will Affect Sea Levels

An increase in temperatures could mean that sea levels are affected tremendously and an increase in sea levels can mean a lot for civilization. An increase in sea levels can also mean saltwater intrusion and that will affect our freshwater supply. Click here to learn more.