Wednesday, August 5, 2009

PARADISE LOST-FUTURE PREDICTIONS IN SEA LEVEL CHANGE



There are many factors to consider, and there is not a linear relation to global temperature variation and sea level. However, it is clear that over the past 100 years sea level has risen about 1/2 foot. An important factor to consider is that coastlines are not regular and do not have the same slope. Although a near-term rise of a few inches does not sound like a great concern, those areas with very mild slopes will have a large encroach with only a small global rise. A rise in sea level would inundate coastal cities, wetlands, and lowlands.
In some parts of the world entire nations are at risk of going under water with rising seas. For example, Bangladesh is land at terrible risk for loss of life, homes, and businesses due to their low elevation. As sea level rises the majority of the world’s population will face critical issues related to their way of life and even their very survival. Damage due to coastal flooding results in economic and habitat loss for humans as well as plant and animal species, thus increase the rate of erosion along the shorelines of beaches , threatening coastal structures on private lands.
Near Recife, Brazil the shoreline has receded more than 8 feet per year from 1985 to 1995. Another problem with sea level rise is the mixing of ocean water with fresh water supplies causing an increased salinity of coastal rivers and bays.

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