Rebecca Lindsey, science writer for NOAA Climate. gov, reported that global average sea level has risen 8-9 inches in the last 144 years, since 1880.
David Thornalley, a professor of ocean and climate science at University College of London, told Newsweek that due to melting ice sheets, beyond 2100 (76 years from now), greater sea level rises with far more severe effects are predicted to occur in the coming hundreds to thousands of years.
By the year 2100 (76 years from now), the intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimated, there could be between 1.4 and 2.8 feet of sea level rise.
___
Types of sea level rise
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) the sea is not level. Because of gravity the earth is “lumpy”, and uneven around the globe – pulling more water into certain places than others. At the same time, the tides, ocean currents, and storms also cause ocean water to “pileup” in certain areas, leading to local variations in sea levels. Scientists who study sea level rise – using tide stations and satellite laser altimeters – try to account for all these complexities to hone in on long-term changes.
- Absolute sea level change – is the global average sea level compared to a fixed point, such as the center of the earth. It is an increase in the total amount of space that the ocean takes up. (It may also be referred to as eustatic sea level rise.)
- Relative sea level change – (also known as local or isostatic) describes the height of the ocean’s surface compared to a specific piece of land. Increase may be caused by the water rising due to ocean dynamics, but it also may be that the land is sinking.
___
Causes in the rise and fall of sea levels:
- Tectonic shifts and vertical land motion.
- Melting of ice and expansion of seawater.
- Land sinking or lifting.
- Groundwater pumping – pumping out the groundwater beneath a city can cause it to settle into the earth.
- Climate change.
___
The National Geographic published “The Greenhouse Effect and Our Planet.”
The greenhouse effect happens when certain gases, which are known as greenhouse gases, accumulate in Earth’s atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (O3), and fluorinated gases.
Some climate scientists state that we must reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. They recommend the following:
- Driving less, using public transportation, carpooling, walking, or riding a bike.
- Flying less – airplanes produce huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Reducing, reusing, and recycling.
- Planting a tree – trees absorb carbon dioxide, keeping it out of the atmosphere.
- Using less electricity.
- Eating less meat – cows are one of the biggest methane producers.
- Supporting alternative energy sources that don’t burn fossil fuels.
___
Climate Action published the “Causes and Effects of Climate Change.”
“Fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – are by far the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for over 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions. As greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth, they trap the sun’s heat. This leads to global warming and climate change. The world is now warming faster than at any point in recorded history. Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual balance of nature. This poses many risks to human beings and all other forms of life on Earth.”
___
Greenhouse Gas Emission Contributors around the World
China
China has the highest greenhouse gas emissions of any country in the world – releasing 9,877 megatons of GHGs in 2019. The country’s economic growth has primarily been powered by coal, which produces up to twice the amount of carbon dioxide as other fossil fuels. China has 1,142 coal power plants in operation – 198 coal power plants in pre-construction – and 128 coal power plants under construction.
United States
The United States is the second-largest contributor of CO2 emissions, responsible for 4,745 megatons of GHGs in 2019. U.S. net emissions decreased by 12% between 2005 and 2017, with electric power sector emissions falling 27% because of increased use of renewable energy and shifting from coal to natural gas. The United States has 210 coal power plants in operation – 1 coal power plant in pre-construction – and 0 coal power plants under construction.
India
India, like China, has a large population – the second largest in the world at approximately 1.4 billion people – and is the third-largest contributor of carbon dioxide emissions, emitting 2,310 megatons of GHGs in 2019. India has 282 coal powered plants in operation – 33 coal powered plants in pre-construction – and 25 coal powered plants under construction.
Russia
Russia is the fourth largest contributor of CO2 emissions, emitting 1,640 megatons of GHGs in 2019. Russia has 68 coal powered plants in operation – 9 coal powered plants in pre-construction – and 3 coal powered plants under construction.
Japan
Japan is the fifth largest contributor of greenhouse gases emitting 1,056 megatons of GHGs in 2019. Japan has 93 coal powered plants in operation – 1 coal powered plant in pre-construction – and 1 coal powered plant under construction.
Indonesia
Indonesia will soon reach the top level of greenhouse gas emitters. Indonesia has 91 coal powered plants in operation – 6 coal powered plants in pre-construction – and 18 coal powered plants under construction.
Many climate scientists suggest that greenhouse gases and climate change influence the rise of sea levels. Some predict that the world must reverse the trend towards a global sea level disaster by the year 2100. The United States has made great strides in reducing emissions while China and India have been increasing production of greenhouse gases with their reliance on more and more coal powered plants.
The United States’ efforts to reduce the production of greenhouse gases is not enough – China, India, Russia and many other countries must commit to implementing the appropriate manufacturing processes to reduce the global production of greenhouse gases.
___
Martha’s Vineyard has a history of attracting some of the most influential people in the world both as visitors and homeowners. The Vineyard is an island in Dukes County, Massachusetts. The cost of living on the island is 60 percent higher than the national average and housing costs are 96 percent higher.
The U.S. Geological Survey New England Water Science Center has been investigating how climate change effects and sea-level rise could alter the groundwater of Martha’s Vinyard. Some climate scientists are concerned that there could be a rise between 1-6 feet in sea level by 2100.
Celebrities do not seem to be too concerned about climate change or rising sea levels in Martha’s Vineyard. The island continues to be a magnet for millionaires, corporate executives and high-profile people including Mike Wallace, David Letterman, Diane Sawyer, Spike Lee, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Larry David, Amy Schumer, Bill and Hillary Clinton and many others. Former President Barack Obama purchased a 29-acre estate there for $12 million.
Maybe these celebrities know something about climate change and rising sea levels that they are not sharing with the rest of us.
James Peifer
