One of the effects of climate change and a consequence of man's action on nature is reflected in the sea and the oceans and the different changes that originate in them. One of the most alarming forecasts has to do with the increase in sea level, it is estimated that by 2050 the sea will rise by 30 centimeters. Now, what are the implications of this increase for the entire planet?

Source: @tomaspalomo

With regard to man's impact on the seas and oceans, in 2021, 90% of the gases produced by global warming were absorbed by the ocean. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States, the sea level will rise 30 centimeters in the next 30 years, a fact that is considered alarming because this increase is higher than the one that occurred during a century.

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There are three factors that are associated with sea level rise, highlighting that this rise is imminent, these are:

1.- Thermal expansion: This occurs when the water in the ocean warms up and expands, which causes it to occupy a larger space.

2.- Decrease of glaciers and ice caps: Global warming has caused glaciers and ice caps to melt due to high temperatures and the lack of snowfall and the imbalance in the seasons causes all the water that was once ice to run off and increase the sea level, in addition to affecting the balance of these habitats.

3.- Loss of ice in Greenland and West Antarctica: Another effect of global warming is experienced in the loss of ice mountains in Antarctica and the melting of ice in Greenland, the water that drains away seeps through the surface of the land and goes directly to the sea.

Consequences of sea level rise.

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Soil erosion as seawater gains space inland, the coast is affected with erosion and contamination of soil for cultivation and aquifers, as well as natural wells and springs.

Loss of habitat for fish, marine and coastal plant species, birds and mammals.

Floods affect basic services, displacement of settlements and port areas, which in turn creates a collapse of buildings near the coast, forcing the migration of people to occupy new spaces, causing a new environmental impact.

As we can see, the change in sea level brings with it serious consequences; it is not only a matter of the coast gaining space, but also a complex change in the habitats that are affected by the flooding process. What is of most concern at this time is the establishment of rapid action plans in the prevention of events associated with this fact, because as already mentioned it has no reversal.

References:

National Geographic. ¿What is sea level rise? https://www.nationalgeographic.es/medio-ambiente/que-es-el-aumento-del-nivel-del-mar

Image 1. Original @tomaspalomo.

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