The topic of the article is how the rising sea levels may disrupt the lives millions of people.it was written by Tatiana Schlossberg on 14th March 2016. According to the article, the sea level rise is attributed to the massive greenhouse emissions, and it could unsettle more than 13 million people in the US. This is triple to the current estimates. Further, it could rise by three or more feet in the next century if the gas omission is not controlled (Schlossberg, 2016). For instance, in a publication in Nature Climate Change, research was conducted and it argues that most of the estimations of populaces likely to be affected by the phenomena are inaccurate as most of it does not consider the issue of population growth
The research was conducted by combining the predicted sea level increases with the future population estimates by obtaining records from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to show that about 4.2 million people were at jeopardy incase the sea rose by three feet. Consequently, approximately 13.1 million people will be affected if the sea level increased by six feet (Schlossberg, 2016).
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Mathew E. Hauer, one of the researchers, states that the US could have cases of large-scale migration if nothing is done to decrease rise in sea level. Recent studies that the rates at which the sea level is increasing are the highest in the 28 centuries. We have frequent cases of tidal flooding which has affected the southern parts of America (Schlossberg, 2016).Those expected to be affected 50% of people in Florida, and 20% of the residents in the southeastern USA .Subsequently, coastal states have not been spared alongside Washington D.C.by 2100, if the sea rises by six feet, many people in New York and Jersey will be affected and about one million people in California.
On the other hand, Benjamin H. Strauss, a specialist on rising sea levels at climate central, says the numbers of people who might be affected has been exaggerated. Furthermore, the current developmental patterns are not applicable in the future. For instance, as the levels rise, the real estate and coastal developments will change too. He goes on by stating that the flooding model does not have distinctions as other studies ((Schlossberg, 2016).For instance, different parts of the US will experience the increase in sea levels at different times. Coastal regions like Louisiana and Chesapeake will experience faster change since the land has already begun sinking.
Correspondingly, another research by members of the United States Geological Survey at NASA in Nature Climate Change advocates for the need of the models to consider how different landscapes shall be affected by the level rise (Schlossberg, 2016). They report that some environments in the northeastern regions like beaches and marshes may acclimate to the sea level increase by undertaking formal modifications. Urban and industrialized areas could be submerged, or experience floods due to their hardened shorelines.
The three researchers have different opinions. For instance Erika .E. Lentz, the lead researcher with US Geological Survey says that most places will not experience massive flooding as predicted by Hauer’s study. Nevertheless, Hauer claims their focus was not predictions on the possibility of an increase in sea levels; rather their research was focused on how it will affect individuals.
The research is beneficial to the world as a whole because developments in the knowledge and the scrutiny of climate alterations will provide a clear understanding of the changeability in the climate system on earth and the prospective responses to natural and human influences. The consequences of the rising sea levels do not only depend on the earth's ability to change in radioactive forcing, but will also help in determining how humankind will tackle the problem through shifts in technology, policies, lifestyle and economies. There are many uncertainties regarding responding to climate change thus it prompts the use of future scenarios to determine the possible effects of the various options to react with.
In my local community, researches on climate change are important because they help us know why there are changes and how to embrace them for the better. For example, since we practice farming, we can understand the shifting weather patterns thus becomes easier to estimate the right time to practice the activity. Furthermore, people have prepared themselves for any incident such as floods and storms by looking for alternatives in case matters get worse.
The researches relate to our course material because we are studying climate change, its causes, effects, and possible solutions to end or decrease its occurrence. Hence, it’s relevant because it helps us look at the issue from different angles besides getting a deeper understanding of how to determine whether the sea levels have risen. For example, we can explain the phenomena of flooding and storms in areas which have never had such climatic features.
Conclusion
Rising sea levels are resulting to climate change. Many researchers have carried out different studies to determine the causes, future effects and how to cope with the situation. Most areas in the US are likely to be affected more if the sea level continues to rise. Therefore, such studies are important to every nation in the world as they prepare people of the consequences of climate change prompting the governments and individuals to resort to flexible economies, lifestyles, policies and technologies. Additionally, they are relevant to a student because they help in one getting the concept through facts.
Reference
Schlossberg, T, (2016). Rising Sea Levels May Disrupt Lives of Millions, Study Says . Nytimes.com . Retrieved 5 September 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/15/science/rising-sea-levels-global-warming-climate-change.html?smid=pl-share&_r=0
