Experts described how climate change affects humanity as global sea levels rise by an extra 1 meter.
Climate scientists were asked for their opinions on whether or not the global population should be concerned about this sea level rise.
According to the IPCC, the most catastrophic scenario for future worldwide increases in sea levels due to climate change is one meter.
Effects on Relocation and Infrastructure Costs
Martine Lizotte, an oceanography expert from Université Laval, stated that the melting of the world's major ice sheets in both Greenland and Antarctica as well as smaller glaciers on land, in addition to a drop in the amount of water held underneath the land and in reservoirs above the land, are all contributing factors to global sea-level rise.
Depending on where they reside, communities will be impacted differently by rising sea levels, with land topography and elevation at the forefront of the concerns.
According to a study by Kulp and Strauss, about 230 million people currently reside near the coast, less than one meter above the sea, making them more susceptible to flooding, storm surges, and the contamination of freshwater reserves for drinking and agricultural crops by saltwater in coastal farming regions.
The costs of relocating the millions of people who live close to the coast are staggering.
Levees, dikes, and seawalls are examples of vital infrastructure that can be protected by flood barriers, and important equipment and foundation systems can also be elevated to increase floodproofing.
The study by Kulp and Strauss was published in 2019 in the journal Nature Communications.
Devastating Effects on Coastal Habitats
According to Megan Cook from the Ocean Exploration Trust, a 1-meter rise would have a significant impact on numerous beaches across the world.
As a result of wetland flooding, destructive erosion, saltwater intrusion into freshwater and agricultural soil, and the loss of habitat for fish, birds, and plants, even a slight rise can have catastrophic repercussions on coastal habitats and communities.
A minimum rise in sea level, primarily caused by the melting of the polar ice due to global warming, can cause the destruction of many cities and the flooding of human settlements, according to J. Rodrigo Garcia del Campo, an expert from the Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia in Ecology.
Insurance and Economic Capacity
According to Jessica Meeuwig, a University of Western Australia expert in ecology and marine science, the word "dangerous" has a negative connotation, yet a one-meter rise in sea level will have disastrous effects on those who live in low-lying places.
Pacific islanders are thinking about fleeing their homes as the shorelines are being eroded by rising sea levels.
More flooding and general coastal erosion will result from rising sea levels.
Companies that provide insurance are already rethinking how and to what extent they provide coverage for properties in high-risk locations.
Mark Schuerch, a geography specialist from the University of Lincoln, said that the ability of society to adapt will determine how sea level rise affects the world.
Global sea level rise will have the biggest impact on lower-income nations.
A one-meter sea level is dangerous because of how the water is positioned during storm events like hurricanes.
Storms that are currently dangerous will move deeper inland and pose a greater threat to more people, Metafact noted.
The Conclusion
The rise of global water levels to one meter will majorly affect society, especially those in coastal areas.
The effects will most likely include economic concerns that stretch from relocation expenses, infrastructure and equipment needs, limitations of coverage for insurance plans, as well as major losses in flora and fauna.
In addition, troubles along the coasts are more likely precursors for troubles developing inland.
Related Article: Gulf Coasts Break Records as Sea Level Rise Projected to 40 Inches
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