A new study published in Nature Climate Change paints a grim picture for the future of our coastlines. The study finds that concurrent heatwaves and extreme sea levels are becoming increasingly common, posing a significant threat to coastal communities around the world.
Double Trouble: Concurrent Heatwaves and Sea Level Rise Threaten Coastlines (Photo : GAIZKA IROZ/AFP via Getty Images)
The researchers used a combination of reanalysis datasets and model projections to analyze historical and future trends in these events.
They found that a staggering 87.73% of coastlines experienced concurrent heatwaves and extreme sea levels between 1979 and 2017.
The frequency of these events has also been increasing, with an average increase of 3.72 days per decade between 1998 and 2017 compared to the previous two decades.
These findings highlight the urgency of developing mitigation strategies to prepare for the increasing threat of concurrent heatwaves and sea level rise.
The study's authors warn that under the highest emissions scenario, global coastlines could experience an average of 38 days of concurrent extremes each year by 2025-2049.
Rising Seas, Rising Temperatures: A Perfect Storm for Coastal Communities
The combination of rising sea levels and extreme heatwaves poses a number of dangers to coastal communities. When sea levels rise, coastal areas become more vulnerable to flooding and erosion.
Extreme heatwaves can exacerbate these problems by causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt, further contributing to sea level rise.
In addition to the physical damage caused by these events, extreme heat and flooding can also have a significant impact on human health.
Heatwaves can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses. Flooding can contaminate water supplies and displace people from their homes.
The Dangers in Detail
Flooding
Rising sea levels inundate low-lying coastal areas, displacing residents and businesses. Storm surges caused by hurricanes and other extreme weather events can cause even more devastating flooding.
Flooding can also contaminate freshwater sources with saltwater, making it difficult to obtain clean drinking water.
Erosion
Rising sea levels and stronger waves erode beaches and cliffs, threatening coastal infrastructure and property. Erosion can also damage ecosystems, such as salt marshes and mangroves, which provide important habitat for fish and wildlife.
Saltwater Intrusion
Rising sea levels can cause saltwater to intrude into freshwater aquifers, contaminating drinking water supplies. Saltwater intrusion can also damage agricultural land, making it difficult to grow crops.
Extreme Heat
Heatwaves can exacerbate the dangers of rising sea levels. When temperatures are high, the water in the ocean expands, contributing to sea level rise.
Heatwaves can also lead to drought, which can reduce the amount of freshwater available to dilute saltwater intrusion.
Impact on Human Health
Extreme heat and flooding can have a significant impact on human health. Heatwaves can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses.
Flooding can contaminate water supplies and displace people from their homes, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases and respiratory illnesses.
Impact on Ecosystems
Coastal ecosystems, such as salt marshes and mangroves, are essential for the health of our oceans. These ecosystems provide habitat for fish and wildlife, and they also help to protect coastlines from erosion.
Rising sea levels and extreme heat can damage these ecosystems, disrupting the delicate balance of marine life.
The increasing frequency and intensity of concurrent heatwaves and sea level rise is a major challenge for coastal communities around the world.
Mitigation strategies are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the pace of climate change. In addition, adaptation strategies are needed to help coastal communities prepare for the inevitable impacts of climate change.