Sea Level Rising June 2015 June 2015 | Page 5

Enviornmental Effects

COASTS:

The scariest impact that this issue presents is the increase of natural disasters and storms. Coastal storms are commonly followed by surges, which is when high winds push water inland creating extreme amounts of flooding. With the sea level rising about 0.12 inches per year, coastal storms will take take out all beach-front houses and any buildings too close to the water.(NOAA, 2015) Similar to one of the biggests hurricanes ever recorded, Hurricane Katrina, coastal surges will also destroy animal habitats and displace organisms most likely ending their lives. The sooner people start to realize the extent of this problem, the sooner we will act because it is close to unreversable.

CORAL REEFS:

Natural sunlight is needed for coral reefs to survive and thrive, which is why they are located in shallow water, but with the sea level rising, the light cant reach the reefs killing millions of organisms that inhabit them inhabit them. Coral reefs act as a barrier to the coast line breaking down large waves so our beaches dont become dangerous. The coral reefs also attract toursim which could be completley wiped and have our kids saying, "what the hell are coral reefs?" On top of it all, the reefs are able to consume CO2 which helps reduce greenhouse gases, slowing global warming. (GBRMPA, 2014)

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Human

Effects

Damage:

Sea water is displaced when sea levels rise which cause it to pour into coastal towns flooding peoples homes, schools, and work places, forcing people to move. If the sea level rises 2 feet, then cities like New Orleans would put the cost the US 1 trillion in damage.(Planet Experts, 2014) Wetlands help prevent floods by absorbing lots of water, but since we have destroyed most of it, it will be usless to us.

Economy:

Coastlines have always been the place where people vacation and attract tourism but when all these coastal cities flood, the towns economic gains will decrease a significant amount. Property thats close to sea level will drop in value and it will become virtually impossible to sell. (IOP, 2013)

Sanitation:

When salty ocean water floods fresh water, it raises the salinity of the water killing organism that inhabit freshwater. The flooding also allows salt water to seep into our aquifers ultimatly contaminating our ground water and increasing illnesses and diseases.