Have you ever wondered what happens to places around the world as sea levels rise? Let’s dive into this important topic and explore how it affects different regions.
Sea levels are rising due to two main reasons: melting ice and warming oceans. As the Earth’s temperature increases, ice sheets and glaciers melt, adding more water to the oceans. Additionally, when water warms up, it expands. This means that even a small increase in temperature can lead to a noticeable rise in sea levels.
Some places are already feeling the effects of rising sea levels. Take Kiribati, for example, a nation made up of 33 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The 100,000 people living there are seeing their land slowly being swallowed by the sea. In just 30 years, their home might become uninhabitable. To prepare for this, the government has bought land in Fiji to ensure they have a place to grow food and live if they need to leave their islands.
Similarly, the Kuna people of Panama, who have lived on their islands for thousands of years, might have to move to the mainland as their islands could be underwater in about 20 years.
Tuvalu, another island nation, is facing similar challenges. It’s only about 10 feet above sea level, and the rising waters are a constant threat. Tuvalu has even considered taking legal action against countries that emit large amounts of carbon, as these emissions contribute to global warming and rising sea levels.
It’s not just small islands that are at risk. Venice, a city built on 118 islands, is also dealing with rising sea levels. The city is working on building seawalls to protect itself, but the challenge is growing as the sea continues to rise.
In places like Sydney, Australia, and the eastern coast of the United States, rising sea levels mean more intense storms and bigger storm surges. For example, the Sydney Opera House, which is 11 feet above sea level, is becoming more vulnerable. After Superstorm Sandy, Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands, was heavily flooded, showing that even iconic landmarks are not immune to these changes.
As the planet warms and sea levels rise, it’s important to think about how we can adapt and protect vulnerable areas. Should island nations be able to take legal action against major carbon emitters? It’s a topic worth discussing.
If you’re curious to learn more about islands, check out a video by AllTime10s that talks about 10 uninhabited islands. You can find the link in the description.
Thanks for exploring this topic with us! Stay curious and keep learning about the world around you.
Using materials like clay, water, and a tray, create a model to simulate rising sea levels. Observe how different landforms are affected as you gradually add water. Discuss with your classmates how this relates to real-world scenarios like those in Kiribati and Tuvalu.
Choose an island nation or coastal city affected by rising sea levels. Research its current challenges and future projections. Present your findings to the class, highlighting any adaptation strategies being implemented.
Participate in a class debate on whether island nations should be able to take legal action against countries with high carbon emissions. Prepare arguments for both sides and discuss potential outcomes and implications.
In small groups, design a sea wall that could protect a coastal city like Venice. Consider materials, height, and environmental impact. Present your design to the class and explain how it would help mitigate the effects of rising sea levels.
Use virtual reality or online resources to explore areas affected by rising sea levels, such as the Sydney Opera House or Liberty Island. Reflect on how these places might change in the future and discuss possible solutions with your peers.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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There are places in the world that are being affected as sea levels rise. What will happen to them?
Hey friends, it’s Trace, thanks for tuning in to DNews! Whether you refer to it as global warming or climate change, it is happening. According to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, for every 2 degrees Celsius increase in global temperatures, sea levels will rise by about seven feet. That’s significant.
Sea levels are rising due to melting ice and warming oceans. As you may recall from physics, warm substances expand, and that includes water. When dealing with quintillions of gallons, even a small expansion can lead to noticeable increases in sea levels.
Places like Kiribati, a 33-island nation in the Pacific, are already experiencing the effects. The 100,000 residents of Kiribati’s islands have begun to feel the impact of rising seas on their way of life. In as little as 30 years, their country may become uninhabitable. To address the issue of seawater encroaching on their fields, the government has purchased 6,000 acres on nearby Fiji to ensure food security and provide refuge for those who may become displaced.
This situation is not unique to Kiribati. The 350 archipelago chains of Panama are also being affected by rising sea levels. Although they have the mainland of Panama to move to, the indigenous Kuna people, who have lived there for thousands of years, may see their islands submerged in about 20 years.
Tuvalu, another island nation, faces similar challenges. It is only about 10 feet above sea level and is gradually disappearing. The nation has expressed concerns about the actions of major carbon emitters and has threatened legal action in the International Court of Justice.
The seas surrounding Funafuti, the atoll that Tuvalu is on, have risen approximately a quarter inch each year for the last decade. During World War II, U.S. soldiers built a gun embankment on a Tuvalu beach, which is now 20 feet offshore.
This issue is not limited to small Pacific islands. The city of Venice, composed of 118 islands built over 1,500 years, is also facing rising sea levels. As sea levels increase by about 2 millimeters each year, efforts are being made to construct seawalls, but they will face even greater challenges in the coming years.
A warming climate also leads to more intense storms and higher sea levels, resulting in larger storm surges. The Sydney Opera House, built 11 feet above sea level, is becoming increasingly vulnerable to these conditions. A 2012 study by the U.S. Geological Survey predicts that sea levels on the eastern seaboard of the United States will rise three to four times faster than the global average.
After Superstorm Sandy, Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty, was significantly flooded, and Ellis Island was completely submerged. These landmarks may seem permanent, but as sea levels rise and the planet warms, their future is uncertain.
How does this information make you feel? Should island nations have the right to take legal action against major carbon emitters? Share your thoughts in the comments below; we do read them!
If you’re interested in learning more about islands, our friends at AllTime10s have a video discussing 10 uninhabited islands. Check it out through the link in the description.
Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to subscribe so we can continue bringing you science every day!
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This version removes informal language and maintains a more neutral tone while preserving the key information.
Sea Levels – The average height of the ocean’s surface, which can rise due to melting ice and thermal expansion from warming temperatures. – Rising sea levels are a major concern for coastal communities around the world.
Melting – The process of a solid substance turning into a liquid, often due to increased temperatures. – The melting of polar ice caps contributes to rising sea levels.
Warming – An increase in temperature, often referring to the Earth’s climate system. – Global warming is causing significant changes in weather patterns and ecosystems.
Islands – Land masses surrounded by water, which can be particularly affected by rising sea levels and climate change. – Many islands are at risk of disappearing due to rising sea levels.
Carbon – A chemical element found in all living things, which is also a major component of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. – Reducing carbon emissions is crucial to slowing down global warming.
Emissions – The release of substances, such as gases or particles, into the atmosphere, often from human activities like burning fossil fuels. – Cutting down on emissions from cars and factories can help improve air quality.
Global Warming – The long-term increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities and greenhouse gas emissions. – Global warming is leading to more frequent and severe weather events.
Vulnerable – Susceptible to harm or damage, often used to describe ecosystems or communities at risk from environmental changes. – Coastal cities are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Adaptation – The process of adjusting to new conditions, such as changes in the environment, to reduce harm or take advantage of opportunities. – Building flood defenses is an important adaptation strategy for cities facing rising sea levels.
Challenges – Difficulties or obstacles that need to be overcome, often used in the context of addressing environmental issues. – One of the biggest challenges in environmental science is finding sustainable solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
