Global Warming and Our Coastline

The ocean and our coastlines are clearly some of the first natural resources impacted by global warming. As temperatures continue to rise, glaciers and ice caps will melt, raising sea levels around the world. Rising temperatures in the water affect fragile ecosystems and can throw entire habitats out of whack. The changing climate also brings bigger storms, which pound the shoreline, continually eroding beaches.

Rising Sea Levels

Global warming will cause sea levels to rise due to two factors: thermal heating of the ocean and the melting of mountain glaciers and polar ice caps. As the average temperature of the ocean warms up, its volume will expand slightly. This, combined with the added volume of melted ice will contribute to higher seas—which will impact low-lying areas around the world. Pacific islands like Tuvalu, whose highest point is only 15 feet above sea level, could disappear entirely; low lying areas like Florida and other Gulf states could lose much of their surface area.

Disappearing Wildlife

Global warming could cause a mass extinction, in and outside the ocean, if its current pace is not slowed. Studies have shown that certain species, like Bermuda’s mangrove forests, are disappearing as oceans rise and the temperature increases. As the ocean continues to absorb the increasing amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, coral reefs will be drastically impacted—these fragile ecosystems could disappear with a 4 degree increase in ocean temperature.

More Extreme Weather

An increase in global temperatures also brings with it more frequent, extreme weather patterns. Having high category hurricanes more frequently means that fragile estuaries and coastal regions won’t have time to recover between storms. More and more beaches will be eroded, as the storms wash sand out to sea. More frequent intense rainstorms also mean a larger strain on the sewer system and more toxic runoff entering rivers, lakes, and oceans.

What You Can Do

Global warming is a worldwide process, and as such, it seems like individual actors could have no possible impact. This simply isn’t the case, however—change always begins at the personal level. By changing your own lifestyle you are also likely to impact those around you.

  • Reduce your reliance on your car: use public transit, carpools, or your bicycle whenever possible
  • Replace your old appliances with energy efficient ones
  • Use a green energy supplier for your home’s energy needs
  • Offset your carbon footprint
  • Use CFL light bulbs in your home and office

 

Sources:

Global Warming & Rising Oceans. (2010) Action BioScience.

The Consequences of Global Warming. (2010). National Resources Defense Council.