A recent study leaded by the University of Tasmania and Australia’s national science agency CISRO revealed that sea levels are rising fast, at a pace of 1.6 to 2.9 millimeters per year. For the last two decades, experts have been trying to research and analyze the strong effects of global warming.
Results published in the journal Nature Climate Change reveal tide gauge and GPS measurements of land movement gathered for more than 10 years. Researchers started in 1993 and in 2014 draw the line to conclude that the growing rate of sea volumes is rapid and worrying.
To have a larger perspective on the matter, scientists have made projections for the next 80 years. It seems the future doesn’t sound so promising, with sea level raising to 99 cm in the next envisioned period.
Over the past 15 years scientists documented a surprisingly rapid retreat of some of Earth’s great ice masses, from Greenland to West Antarctica. Although earlier studies revealed that the rate of sea level had slowed in the last few years, the overall results of their analysis show a worrying conclusion.
USA Today has reported that sea levels rose with no less than 1.7 mm a year throughout the 20th century. Since 1880 waters have grown in volume with approx. 8 inches.
The coastal zone is most affected by this increases in volume and the cause of that could be the greenhouse gases allowed to continue unabated.
Even though we cannot avoid sea levels rising, with proper care and protection for the environment the projections could be more optimistic. If we take into account ways to reduce global emissions, the deep sea waters could save some serious volume raise. In this case the projections could be more promising, translated into a rise of between 28 and 61 cm only for the future generations.
Global warming comes no more as a surprise and its effects start to be painful, with calamities happening all over the world. Studies in the climate field can help us gather a larger perspective on what it means and how it can show its effects in the future, allowing us to take measures from early stages.
Sea levels rising are translated in inundation events, maybe tsunamis, landslides and a serious raise in annual temperatures. Climate has changed to the point of not allowing for spring and autumn to appear as seasons in the present reality, forcing nature to adapt and react accordingly. Seas are only a small part of the natural landscape suffering from our intrusion over time. If pollution and exaggerated constructions in natural environments doesn’t slow its pace, nature will take its course in making room for survival.
Image Source: rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com
Empire Of Chaos says
So, 3 mm per year for 100 years is 300 mm which is 30cm which is a ruler.
Quick you coastal people had better run!