[ad_1]
Waves were seen crashing onto condo buildings near Sunny Isles, Florida on Monday as the United Nations released a warning for humanity. Photo by AFP
According to a US government study, the US coast will see a rise of up to a foot (30 cm) in sea level by 2050 due to climate change. This could lead to more flooding than today.
The Sea Level Rise Technical Report combined satellite and tide gauge observations with climate modeling from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to produce projections for the next 100 year.
It updates a 2017 technical document, and provides new information about how storm-, tide-, and storm-driven water levels impact future flood risk.
The study of 111 pages predicted that sea level rises along the coast by 10-12 inches (25-30 centimeters), between 2020-50. This is twice the rise in 30 years as the 100-year interval from 1920-202020.
“This new data about sea rise is the latest confirmation that our climate crises – as has the president stated – are blinking ‘code Red,'” Gina McCarthy (US National Climate Advisor) said in a press release.
“We need to redouble our efforts in cutting greenhouse gasses that cause global warming while helping our coastal communities become more resilient to rising seas.”
The report also showed that coastal flooding will increase dramatically if sea levels rise, even if there are no storms or heavy rains.
“By 2050 mild flooding – which can be disruptive and destructive by today’s weather and sea level standards – will occur more than 10x as often as today,” Nicole LeBoeuf from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. The report was co-authored and co-authored by half-a dozen agencies.
Moderate floods, which are now occurring every two to five years, would occur multiple times in a single calendar year.
Higher sea levels can be caused by melting ice sheets, glaciers, and the expansion seawater as it heats up. This is linked to higher global temperatures.
The report stated that sea-level rise of about two feet is more likely between 2020-20100 because of the greenhouse gas emissions. Failure to reduce future emissions could lead to an additional 1.5 to five feet of sea-level rise, for a total increase of 3.5 to 7.7 feet by the end century.
Due to the potential for rapid melting ice sheets in Greenland or Antarctica, sea level rises above 5.5 F (3 C) could be much greater than that of the current model limitations.
The report stated that satellite monitoring of sea levels and thicknesses will be vital for improving models and helping to inform adaptation plans.
AFP
