Why is rising sea levels bad
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The Detrimental Effects of Rising Sea Levels
Coastal Flooding and Groundwater Inundation
Rising sea levels pose a significant threat to coastal regions, primarily through increased flooding. Coastal flooding is not only caused by marine waters but also by the inundation of groundwater. Studies indicate that the impact of sea-level rise on groundwater can double the expected flooding from marine waters alone, exacerbating the risk to coastal plains1. This dual threat highlights the complexity and severity of the flooding risks associated with rising sea levels.
Impact on Coastal Communities
The implications of rising sea levels are particularly severe for low-lying coastal communities. These areas face increased coastal flooding during storms and a higher frequency of tidal flooding. Many local drainage infrastructures are not designed to handle the current levels of sea rise, leading to reduced efficiency in drainage systems during heavy rains. This inefficiency can result in significant physical, health, social, economic, and environmental consequences, especially in developing countries where resources for adaptation are limited2.
Human Contributions to Sea Level Rise
Human activities have significantly contributed to the rise in sea levels. Thermal expansion of ocean water and the melting of glaciers due to increased atmospheric temperatures are primary factors. Additionally, activities such as groundwater withdrawal, surface water diversion, and land-use changes have directly increased sea levels. These anthropogenic factors have caused at least a third of the observed rise in sea levels over the past century3 6 9.
Economic Implications
The economic impact of sea-level rise is profound. Without adequate coastal protection, economies that rely heavily on agriculture are particularly vulnerable. The loss of agricultural land, destruction of infrastructure, and displacement of populations can lead to significant economic downturns. Even with full coastal protection, the costs can exceed the benefits, as energy prices rise and overall energy consumption falls due to the shrinking economy4.
Displacement and Ecological Damage
Sea-level rise is expected to displace tens of millions of people in developing countries within this century. The accompanying economic and ecological damage will be severe, with significant impacts on land, population, agriculture, urban areas, wetlands, and GDP. The effects are disproportionately severe in a small number of countries, highlighting the uneven distribution of the impacts5.
Environmental and Ecological Consequences
The environmental consequences of rising sea levels are extensive. The loss of agricultural lands, destruction of transportation infrastructure, and migration of populations are just a few of the direct impacts. Additionally, saltwater intrusion can lead to the death of aquatic animals and the degradation of freshwater resources, further compounding the ecological damage6 7.
Conclusion
Rising sea levels present a multifaceted threat to coastal regions worldwide. The combined effects of increased flooding, economic disruption, displacement of populations, and ecological damage underscore the urgent need for comprehensive mitigation and adaptation strategies. Addressing the root causes, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing effective coastal protection measures, is crucial to mitigating the adverse impacts of sea-level rise.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Assessment of groundwater inundation as a consequence of sea-level rise
Sea-level rise may cause twice the coastal flooding expected from marine waters alone by affecting groundwater balance.
Highly CitedSea Level Rise and Coastal Communities
Sea level rise, caused by human-induced climate change, significantly impacts low-lying coastal communities, causing increased coastal flooding and tidal flooding, and reducing the efficiency of local drainage infrastructures.
Direct anthropogenic contributions to sea level rise in the twentieth century
Human activities, including groundwater withdrawal, surface water diversion, and land-use changes, have contributed to at least a third of the observed rise in sea levels over the past century.
Highly CitedEconomy-wide Estimates of the Implications of Climate Change: Sea Level Rise
Sea level rise in 2050 increases welfare costs, particularly in agriculture-dependent economies, and full coastal protection can boost GDP and utility, but costs exceed land loss.
Highly CitedThe impact of sea level rise on developing countries: a comparative analysis
Sea-level rise could displace tens of millions of people in developing countries and cause severe economic and ecological damage, with severe impacts limited to a small number of countries.
Highly CitedMean Sea Level: The Effect of the Rise in the Environment
Human-induced factors, such as climate change and global warming, contribute to sea-level rise, leading to loss of agricultural lands, destruction of transportation infrastructures, and the death of aquatic animals due to saltwater intrusion.
Literature ReviewSea level rise and its coastal impacts
Sea level rise impacts coastal systems differently, depending on local natural and human settings, but it is possible to provide preliminary assessments of regional impacts.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedRisk of rising sea level to population and land area
Rising sea levels pose a significant risk to low-elevation land areas and their populations, with half of this rise attributed to thermal expansion of the ocean and the melting of temperate-latitude glaciers, and the remaining from a net loss of mass from the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets.
Highly CitedThe causes of sea-level rise since 1900
The causes of sea-level rise since 1900 are thermal expansion, ice-mass loss, and terrestrial water storage changes, with glacier-dominated mass loss accounting for twice as much sea-level rise as thermal expansion.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedSea-Level Rise and Its Impact on Coastal Zones
Sea-level rise due to global warming will likely accelerate, impacting coastal zones, but its magnitude and adaptation success remain uncertain.
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