Increase in sea level: causes and consequences

The seas and oceans are suffering great impacts. In addition to sea pollution, it is known that the level of this is increased. Do you really believe that our species is with water around the neck? The answer would be yes, since In the last 100 years it has risen between 10 and 20 cmalthough by the end of this century, it is expected that the Increase in sea level be much greater, of Between 10 and 68 cm.⁽¹⁾

This is due to the increase in temperature that is meant that the icy territories are melted, as well as that there is a thermal expansion in the water. Next, we will explain these causes in more detail.

We can summarize this issue by saying that the main cause of the increase in ocean levels is Increased global warming that is taking place for several years. The climate change that is being accelerated It causes the global temperature to increase and, therefore, there is less ice that becomes liquid water in the oceans and seas. Anyway, we can detail the Causes of the increase in sea level as follows:

• The thaw of polar and glaciers caps: They are large ice structures that are melting due to temperature increase. Usually, when summer arrived, part of these frozen formations were undone, but in winter they returned to their solid state. Currently, not all ice returns to its original state, since climate change is causing Nieves’ rains not to be as strong, as well as the advancement of spring and that winter is delayed. We recommend you also read these other ecology articles about the consequences of the thaw of the poles and the data on the thaw of the poles.
• The thaw of the icy areas of Greenland and the West Antarctica: In these territories they are also affected by thaw, but also to add the filtration of fresh water, this helps to weaken and melt the ice plates, as well as they slide in the direction of the sea.
• Thermal dilation: It is a process caused by the temperature increase, this makes a physical body like water increase its volume. That is why thermal dilation is another cause that increases sea level.

The consequences of the increase in sea level It is something that is already evident, but what is even worse, the forecasts for a not too distant future do not predict anything good. These are some of the consequences that are being suffered and will continue to suffer in the coming decades:

• The coastal areas are the most affected, as it produces the erosion of the land and threatens all the crop fields that are close.
• It is also a threat to all those beach constructions, such as restaurants, apartments and leisure areas, constructions specially designed for tourism. Therefore, the impact is not only environmental, but also economic and social.
• Disappearance of those cities built under sea level, which need drainage systems to maintain them. We have as an example Venice, which in these last two years has been seriously affected. Know more about the cities that could disappear under the waters through world thaw with this other post.
• The islands would end up disappearing, and all those native people from the place to other areas should be displaced.
• With the increase in sea level, water contamination of aquifers is produced and wetlands are flooded. Affecting the life of the flora and fauna that these ecosystems inhabit.
• Climate alteration that causes atmospheric phenomena with greater intensity: storms, tsunamotes, torrential rains, etc.

For stop the increase in sea levelfirst we would have to stop global warming. To put solution it is necessary that the temperature for a future does not increase more than 1.5 c °. The IPPC⁽²⁾ He launches a report on the 1.5 ° global warming in which he insists that decisions must be made to limit the temperature increase and explains the benefits it would have for ecosystems and the health of human beings.

This objective has the support of about 200 countries and to be able to meet drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the point that these are 0 by 2040. How to get it? The burning of fossil fuels and industrial activity are the main greenhouse gas emission spotlights. Next, some of the changes that would have to be made will be shown in order to achieve this goal:

• Reduce fossil fuel burning to stop transport uses.
• Change the use of non -renewable energy for renewable energies (solar, wind, hydraulic …).
• Innovation in the car industry, and change diesel vehicles or gasoline for electric or hybrids.
• Support industries and facilitate the use of renewable energy.
• Prohibit programmed obsolescence, so that those technological products have longer duration, and thus reducing production.
• Change the economic model, as the capitalist system seeks mass production to offer products to consumers. And the mass production is the one that is generating most of the emissions that cause global warming.

On the part of the population, we can also make changes at more individual level:

• Use the private vehicle only when it really is necessary.
• Make more bicycle or public transport.
• Avoid the use of aerosols.
• Reduce our consumption, and buy products really when we need them.

If you want to read more articles similar to Increase in sea level: causes and consequenceswe recommend that you enter our category of climate change.