The Potential for an Impending Sea-Level Rise

Abstract

Sea level rise has become one of the most discussed topics regarding climate change. In the past the sea level has been known to rise several meters during interglacial periods. The rapid spread of human populations and new technological innovations have led to an outpouring of carbon dioxide over the centuries causing the global mean temperature to rise by 0.8°C. This slight increase in temperature has raised sea level from thermal expansion of the ocean and is having a dramatic effect on the cryosphere. Retreating glaciers continue to contribute to the current rate of sea level rise but the potential for the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets to melt from increasing global temperatures could raise the ocean by more than 1 m this century. Low-lying developing countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam are the most vulnerable to a rise in sea level due to lack of infrastructure, high population densities, and geographic locations situated on a delta. In the developed world, Australia and Italy are at risk areas due to large populations found along the coast in both countries. If the rate of mass loss from glaciers and ice sheets continue a future sea level rise is imminent.