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Sea Level Rise: Major Causes and Effects

The rise of sea levels has been discussed for decades. Although fluctuations in water levels are natural, such an increase is alarming as it is likely to have a considerable impact on ecosystems and peoples lives. This rapid increase is associated with various natural disasters such as storms and floods. This paper includes a brief description of the major causes and effects of sea level rise, as well as measures people undertake to address the issue.

The sea level has risen dramatically since the end of the twentieth century, which calls for immediate action to undertake. Sea level rose 3.6 millimeters during the period between 2006 and 2015, which was 2.5 times the average rate of 0.06 inches (1.4 millimeters) per year throughout most of the twentieth century (Lindsey par. 2). It is also estimated that the increase will persist into the twenty-first century. It is predicted that in approximately 80 years, the sea level will rise at least 0.3 meters above the level of 2000 (Lindsey par. 2). Although some areas are less prone to the adverse effects of sea level rise and even experience sea level decline, in other regions, the problem is acute.

The primary cause of the rapidly rising sea level is climate change. On the one hand, ice in the poles is melting, and, on the other hand, warming water is expanding in volume (Lindsey par. 2). Although some skeptics note that climate change is natural for the planet and people do not influence this process, scientists argue that greenhouse gas emissions contribute greatly to the increase in temperatures across the globe. For instance, it is estimated that emissions had risen to some 35 billion tons and the global surface temperature was roughly 0.7 of a degree Celsius above the average of the late 19th century (Porter par. 3). This growth is associated with massive industrial progress that took place in the twentieth century.

Countries have developed diverse strategies to address the problem and enhance the resilience of coastal areas that are the most prone to the negative effects of sea level rise. In New Orleans, the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System was established (Muggah par. 18). This system consists of a series of massive dam barriers, reinforced levees and flood-walls stretching some 560km around the city (Muggah par. 18). At that, the most remarkable illustration of proper city management is Rotterdam that is located almost completely below sea level. The people who lived there as far back as the thirteenth century started developing various tools and strategies to ensure their safety. These measures include the construction of dams, canals, and barriers to keep water at bay and ensure proper drainage.

Sea level rise should not be measured in meters or volumes of water, but the exact outcomes should be taken into account. Eight out of ten largest cities in the world are located in coastal areas, making millions of people potential victims of numerous adverse events (Lindsey par. 5). As mentioned above, floods and storms are common issues that lead to dramatic death tolls, area devastation, and billions in financial losses. The so-called nuisance flooding is one of the most obvious reasons for taking rapid and effective steps to address the problem (Lindsey par. 7). Nuisance flooding does not cause deaths or major destructions, but cities infrastructure is affected considerably.

In conclusion, sea level rise is associated with climate change and causes thousands of deaths and major damage to coastal areas, which requires vast investment to mitigate the aftermaths of these natural disasters. Governments in different countries have specific programs aimed at managing sea levels to keep their coastal areas safe. However, the pace of the rise of sea level suggests that more effort should be made.

Works Cited

Lindsey, Rebecca. Climate Change: Global Sea Level. Climate.gov, 2020, Web.

Muggah, Robert. The Worlds Coastal Cities Are Going Under. Heres How Some Are Fighting Back. World Economic Forum, 2019, Web.

Porter, Eduardo. Fighting Climate Change? Were Not Even Landing a Punch. The New York Times, 2018, Web.

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