A large portion of the heat of the earth is stored in the oceans. Oceans cover 70% of our world. Imagine warming such a huge bathtub of water. The new, extra heat is reducing the ice in our world - land ice in Greenland and Antarctica, glaciers, sea ice in the polar regions. The rate of loss of ice in Antarctica has tripled in the last 10 years. Sea levels rose eight inches in the last century. The rate of sea level rise is now double what it was in the last century.
The oceans are the foundation of our climate patterns. Near or far, our lives depend on healthy oceans. Oceans produce half of the oxygen in our world. The oceans are like a flywheel that keeps the motor running. Oceans are the primary source of food for millions in the world. The carbon dioxide content of the oceans is changing, the temperature of the oceans is changing. Marine life in the oceans is being affected. Changes in the ocean also increase the frequency and the intensity of more extreme weather systems.
Conservative estimates are that average ocean levels will rise between 2 and 3 feet (extra water from melting ice on land) by the end of this century - that is if all the plans to flatten the curve of climate change work well. If the plans do not work well, if there is not global cooperation, the water level will increase more than that. Many cities and some nations will literally disappear. Some Pacific Ocean nations are already planning for this. In any case, due to the large amount of increased heat in the oceans already, ocean levels will continue to rise for decades, even centuries.
More than one third of the world’s population lives within 60 miles of ocean coastline. 600 million people live in areas less than 30 feet above sea level. They are within easy reach of storms and sea surges. The social and economic impacts of these combinations will be huge before the end of this century.
Melting ice floating in oceans will hardly affect water levels (there will be other consequences - less heat is reflected back into space and this adds to the warming). When land ice on Antarctica and Greenland melts, this has a major impact on ocean levels. When water warms, it expands slightly. When whole oceans expand slightly, it makes a significant difference.
Cities on river deltas, many Asian cities, cities on the US East and Gulf coast will face many problems. 4 out 5 people affected by sea level rise will be in East or South East Asia. New York, Miami, New Orleans and many other cities are already having major water incidents. A century or two ago, cities on river deltas on ocean coasts were centres for tremendous cultural and economic activity. Now they will be centres of water and climate troubles.
Why the east coast? Turns out the Gulf Stream is slowing down. Water is not being moved away from the east coast as fast as it was in the past. The water level is rising, apart from any new or extra water in the oceans. This major natural current from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic to Europe and then back again has slowed. This current mixes warmer equatorial water and colder Arctic water. It is a major factor in eastern US and European weather. It is part of the balance in the life patterns on our earth and it is changing.
Marine life is affected by changes in temperature and water chemistry. Millions depend on the ocean for food. Coral reefs are dying, breaking down. By the end of this century, there will be millions of climate refugees resulting from rising ocean levels, extreme heat or droughts. This will happen even if current climate targets are met. If plans do not go well, the results will be more drastic.
Watch the oceans carefully - temperature, ocean levels and ocean currents, melting ice, especially from Antarctica and Greenland.
ACAN seeks to educate and inspire sustainable practices in our community.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, altonacan.blogspot.com or email inquiries to altonacan@gmail.com Give us a shout if you would like to be a Friend of ACAN.
Comments
Post a Comment