New research shows sea level rise could accelerate far faster than cities can adapt to. In this episode, Maiya breaks down why even today’s warming may already be enough to trigger long-term ice-sheet collapse. And what that means for our coasts, our cities, and our future.I lectured on climate change last night and when the last video played, the preview for this video appeared on screen. I told my students I would watch it when I got home and I did! After watching it, it reminded me of the following questions from My students are watching 'Chasing Ice' during Earth Week.
17. What is happening to Greenland's melt zone as the climate changes?
It's expanding and moving up and into the interior of the ice sheet.
18. How much will sea level rise during the lifetimes of Balog's daughters?
1.5 to 3 feet (0.5 to 1 meter).
19. How many people will the rising sea level displace?
About 150 million.
20. What effect will rising sea level have on hurricanes and typhoons?
It will make the storm surges higher, making them more damaging.
The video also reminded me of One foot sea level rise by 2050 according to U.S. government study: "[T]hose maps of selected coastlines are horrifying." That was for one foot of sea level rise. Fifteen meters (50 feet) of sea level rise by 2300 is even more so. That's what would happen if temperatures in the near future reach those of 3.6 million years ago, the last time carbon dioxide levels were as high as today. Even sustained temperatures as high as today are the same as 125,000 years ago, when sea levels were 20-30 feet higher and the octopus evidence indicates that the West Antarctic ice sheet collapsed. We don't have to warm more; we just have to stay as warm as we are now.
That's a wrap for today's evergreen educational entry. I have another one planned tomorrow.
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