Rising Sea Levels: A Threat to All Life on Earth, Part 1 of 2

Since record-keeping began in the 1800s, the Earth’s average global sea level has consistently risen. Between the 1900s and the 2000s, the sea rose very slowly, an average of only 1.4 mm/year. However, between 2006 and 2015, the rate began accelerating, and now sea levels are rising more than twice as fast as before.

Rising sea levels threaten many essential coastal infrastructures, including roads, bridges, subways, oil storage facilities, and power plants. Higher seas could also cause sewer systems to back up, spewing raw sewage onto city streets. International ports could be damaged or destroyed, affecting the world’s trade and economy. In addition, higher water levels mean that storm surges, such as those caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Michael in the US, push inland much further than previously, causing much more significant damage. Rising sea levels also affect coastal ecosystems, destroying or altering the habitats of both fish and wildlife.

As global temperatures continue to rise Earth’s mountain glaciers are melting at an ever-increasing rate, and sometimes even suddenly collapse. Warming ocean waters and higher global temperatures are also affecting glaciers in the North and South Polar regions. In a study published in June 2022 in the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers revealed that parts of the Arctic are warming five to seven times faster than the rest of the world. The study also found a strong relationship between the amount of sea ice in the Arctic and rising temperatures. Scientists estimate that Antarctica’s ice holds enough water to raise the sea level by almost 60 meters. One of the most significant concerns is whether Antarctica’s ice sheets and glaciers will melt gradually or whether they will reach a tipping point and collapse. For this reason scientists are growing deeply concerned about the future of the Thwaites Glacier.

Many thanks to all the scientists who help us understand the dire consequences of rising sea levels. We pray that these dangers soon subside as we quickly shift to the peaceful vegan lifestyle.