I’m sure you have all heard something about the ice caps melting and polar bears dying, at least once in our lives. But do you believe it? Did you ever think to yourself: What does that actually mean? How does this affect me? What can I do to prevent this? Why is this occurring? Or did you ever even take the time to make sure the information people spew to you about the ice caps melting was even true? I bet you didn’t even think about it in these ways.
What does that actually mean?
Over the past century, the burning of fossil fuels and other human and natural activities has relapsed enormous amount of heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. These emissions have caused the Earths surface temperature to rise, and the oceans to absorb about 80 percent of this additional heat, according to National Geographic. The rise in sea levels is linked to three main factors: Thermal Expansion, Melting Glaciers, and Ice loss from Greenland and West Antarctica.
According to Annie Sneed form the Scientific American, the ice from the sea acts as a blanket on the ocean which protects the water form incoming solar energy and atmospheric heat. As these icebergs are melting, its white surface is no longer there to reflect the sunlight back into the atmosphere and consequentially the ocean absorbs more solar energy. This effect accelerates overall warming, which melts more land ice and also increases sea levels.
How does this affect me?
Not only does the rise of sea levels threaten costal regions but it also increases the destruction of storms. Scientists project that if we keep warming the planet at our current pace, sea levels could rise between two and seven feet by 2100. This increase in levels is crucial in the strength of storms and the damage that follows. Reducing our emission would help slow the rate of sea level rise, but according to the Washington Post, it’s unlikely we could stop further rises altogether. although we cannot stop the rises altogether does not mean we shouldn’t try to slow the increase in levels. If we can slow down the rate, we have time to take some adaptive measures, says NCAR’s (National Center on Atmospheric Research) Gerald Meehl. Even after stating all of these harmful effects you may still not believe me or care.
Think about it this way: yes you might not be alive to witness the harmful effects of the increase in sea levels, but your family will. The choices you make now may have a greater impact on your loved ones than you may think. Your offspring, and their offspring’s offspring will have to live through this.
What can I do to prevent this?
Although it is highly unlikely that we can stop the rise of the sea levels, there are some measures we can take to slow the rate at which the levels are increasing. According to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Changes, reducing emissions of these short lived climate pollutants, including soot and methane, by 30 to 60 percent by 2050 would slow the annual rate of sea level rise by about 18 percent by 2050. Combining reductions in short-lived pollutants with decreasing CO2 emissions could cut the rate of the sea level rise in half by 2100, from 0.82 inches to 0.43 inches per year, while reducing the total sea level rise by 31 percent during the same period. These emission reductions could potentially save the lives of millions who could potentially be living under sea level. We can each contribute to this by using other sources of power, using LED lights, saving earths biodiversity, using less plastic, the list is endless. It starts with you.
Why is this occurring?
Human activities, such as burning coal and oil and cutting down tropical forests, have increased atmospheric concentrations of heat trapping gases and caused the planet to warm by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880. Rising temperatures are warming ocean waters, which expand as the temperatures increase. This thermal expansion was the main driver of global sea level rise for 75 – 100 years after the start of the Industrial Revolution.
Is the sea level rising?
Yes, according to the National Ocean Service, the sea level is primarily measured using tide stations and satellites. The tide stations around the globe show what is happening at the local level. The height of the water is measured along the coast relative to a specific point on land. Satellite measurements provide us with the average height of the entire ocean. Taken together, these tools show how our ocean sea levels are changing over time.
It is clear that the seas of our Earth are rising. It is all a direct cause of our ever changing climate. The next time you’re at the store deciding which light bulbs to buy, choose LED. The next time you are at the grocery store bring your own reusable bags and do not take the plastic ones that the store provides. The next time you and a bunch of your friends are going to the same place, carpool. The next time you do anything, think of how it will affect our environment, the planet you live on, the place you call your home.
January 12, 2018 at 3:24 pm
I’m excited to read more from your blog, the topic of sea levels rising is very paramount today and as you said it won’t be as much of an issue for us, but more an issue for our children and their children down the road. It is extremely important that we reduce our carbon footprint and clean up our acts so that our coasts don’t disappear in a few decades. It’s only going to get worse, and something needs to be done about it! Great first post, I loved the pictures and the style of the site itself.
January 12, 2018 at 3:26 pm
I think this is a really important topic, especially today, and it’s something that is controversial in the U.S. A lot of people, including our politicians, don’t believe that global warming and the rising of sea levels is something that is actually happening and they’re even trying to prevent research on it from getting to the public by de-funding scientific institutes. The ice in the oceans and at the poles is definitely melting and it’s important for people to understand the impact that will have on our world right now and in the future. I like how you supported these ideas with facts from trusted sources like National Geographic and the National Ocean Service and explained how the data was gathered as well as what it means. Breaking a topic down helps people understand it. Pointing out the small things that people can do everyday was also a good idea because it makes a huge issue like this seem smaller and easier to handle which is a good step towards dealing with it all together.
January 12, 2018 at 3:52 pm
Wonderfully written. I knew global warming was a colossal cause of concern, but I didn’t know the extent of it or exact reasons for its existence before this article. Your layout keeps the article in short and fresh paragraphs, which is an excellent way to keep the reader’s attention. The multiple pictures give the reader the visual aspect of the dangers of global warming, and the fact that you cite so many credible sources makes you seem like a professional blogger. I seriously believe that if more people learned about how it affects us, what we can do about it, and why it is occurring, they would want to band together and help stop global warming before it negatively affects our children. Awesome job, I hope to learn more.