Since I have addressed a few of the stranger contributors to climate change, for the remainder of my posts it seems appropriate to delve into some of the less frequently discussed consequences that climate change is currently having.

First, let us focus on disappearing coastlines.

In my experience, this phenomena is mainly discussed in the context of jokes, with people lightly laughing about the notion of whole islands being swallowed by the sea, and the towns and cities they are home to having to be “moved” elsewhere. They must be picturing a helicopter attached to Miami by strings, picking it up and moving it out to the middle of the country – or something to that effect. But naturally, that is not the case.

The laughter and lack of gravity surrounding this issue, namely in the United States, is likely due to the fact that this concept seems a distant one to many, something the vast majority of us would be unaffected by. But, as with most issues surrounding climate change, this somewhat laughable concept is quickly becoming a grave and fast-approaching threat to many.

The Marshall Islands have gathered much of the attention surrounding this issue. Being a society built atop “more than 1,200 islands scattered across 750,000 square miles of ocean,” (Haner) the sea is a main commodity – and, therefore, main concern – of theirs. And of late, this concern has only heightened. Currently, those that call these islands home are under siege by “powerful tropical cyclones, damaged reefs and fisheries, worsening droughts, and sea-level rise [that] threaten[s] the coral reef atolls of this large ocean state, forcing the Marshallese to navigate a new reality”(Haner).

But what is causing sea levels to rise so dramatically? Why are entire islands at risk of disappearance?

According to reports by NASA, “sea level rise is caused primarily by two factors related to global warming: the added water from melting ice sheets and glaciers and the expansion of seawater as it warms” (“Sea Level…”). In particular, “ice loss near the poles is one of the most critical changes pushing sea levels higher,” with “Greenland’s contribution to global sea-level rise…[being] the largest” (“NASA…”). In fact, in Greenland alone, “the estimated total loss [of ice] is in the range of more than 200 to more than 300 gigatons per year (1 gigaton is approximately 264 billion gallons of water. Melting 365 gigatons of ice would add 1 millimeter to global sea level; there are 25.4 millimeters in an inch)” (“NASA…”). So although a millimeter of water may seem a miniscule amount, in just half a lifetime this could feasibly lead to two inches in sea level rise, and, consequently, even more dramatic receding of coastlines.

Now in the wake of this crisis, island communities like the Marshall Islands are scrambling to dream up novel solutions to this unfathomable crisis. These small settlements are faced with stopping a true act of God that, seemingly, only Noah could surmount. They must stop the flow of the mighty sea. And so, “in a moment of reckoning, … [these islanders] face a stark choice: relocate or elevate” (Haner).

Indeed, these and many other suggestions have been made by public figureheads in these communities as solutions to this emergency. Among them are discussions of building new islands, bolstering those that are already inhabited, building walls along coastlines to halt the tides, and dredging the sea water from the areas already being affected (Haner). Though these measures may seem too fantastical to be implemented, they are quite necessary to ensure the survival of these communities and their cultures.

In light of the attention that they have received, “Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine told National Geographic that her country’s focus has been on climate change mitigation but says there is a need for a greater emphasis on adaptation, including the consideration of building higher ground” (Haner). And, as with every strong solution path, “public consultation must [first] take place. Local governments, iroij or chiefs, clan heads, and other traditional leaders all need to be part of the conversation, she says” (Haner).

As these discussions are taking place on those floating settlements in the middle of our mighty oceans, we at home can do our part in contributing to the forging of solutions. As always, promoting awareness is of paramount importance in solving any issue, and so let this post serve as an initiative to spur conversation about the disappearing coasts of our beautiful planet.

 

Works Cited

 

Haner, Josh. “Rising Seas Give Island Nation a Stark Choice: Relocate or Elevate.” Rising Seas Give Marshall Islands a Stark Choice: Relocate or Elevate, 17 Dec. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/11/rising-seas-force-marshall-islands-relocate-elevate-artificial-islands/.

“NASA Sea Level Change Portal: Ice Melt.” NASA, NASA, 11 Dec. 2018, sealevel.nasa.gov/understanding-sea-level/global-sea-level/ice-melt.

“Sea Level | NASA Global Climate Change.” NASA, NASA, 24 Sept. 2018, climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/sea-level/.