StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Affection of the Rising of the Sea Level on Global Warming - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
Global warming has been defined by various scholars as the rise in heat of the earth’s ambiance and its expected continuation resulting to the earth’s surface temperatures increasing.The issue of global warming has aroused a variety of problems in reference to the nature…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.5% of users find it useful
Affection of the Rising of the Sea Level on Global Warming
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Affection of the Rising of the Sea Level on Global Warming"

?Introduction Global warming has been defined by various scholars as the rise in heat of the earth’s ambiance and its expected continuation resultingto the earth’s surface temperatures increasing (Maslin 2). The issue of global warming has aroused a variety of problems in reference to the nature, how it occurs, and its cost because of the consequences. The controversial issues include among others the causes of increased temperatures in the recent years and mostly due to human activity. Various questions are raised during research on global warming, which include if the warming is not planned for or it is normal within the climatic changes, whether human beings have significantly contributed to this or if the increase is completely or partially an artifact of poor measurements (Archer 17). Also controversy over estimates of climate sensitivity, predictions of more warming and the outcomes of global warming has been rife among scientists’ assessment reports (Weart 14). Human activities continue to affect the content of the atmosphere especially through gas emissions from green houses and aerosols generated from various human activities, and this keeps on changing the atmosphere in a manner that is most likely to affect the climate. Thus it is deemed that natural factors contributing to global warming are very small as compared to activities that people engage in top change atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases. Rising of the Sea Level The warming of the atmosphere has resulted to higher sea level due to the fact that land and lower atmosphere of a warmer climate result to heat being channeled into the oceans (Neumann, Yohe, Nicholla and Manion 12). Heating of materials leads to their expansion which is referred to as thermal expansion, thus the transfer of heat results to the expansion of sea water, which results to a rise in sea level. Warm temperatures might result to the following effects on the earth’s surface’s natural resources, in the ice lands and oceans. When non-polar glaciers melt, they release water might flow into the ocean thus contributing to a sea-level rise. Glaciers are highly sensitive to change in climate and, therefore, melt at a very fast rate and the water flows to oceans and the effect is increase in sea levels (FEMA 10). Ice increases from snowfall and is balanced by ice loss from melting and the discharging of glaciers in the Greenland (Archer 38). Forecasts show that increase in melting from higher temperatures will cause an increase in precipitation. Thus, the changes in the ice balance will add water to the ocean, hence contributing to rise in sea levels. Almost all of Antarctica is covered by a sheet of ice, which is 2.5 kilometers thick and if the ice covering Antarctica was to melt, then there would be an over 60 meters rise in the sea levels. However, increase of a few degrees in the Antarctic would not change the melting point of ice since it is so cold there and extremely high temperatures will melt down the ice. Though thermal expansion is not an obvious process than melting ice, weather professionals argue that it remains a major contributor of projected sea-level rise in the 21st century. It has been difficult for scientists to be precise with sea-level forecasts since there are a number of uncertainties. The first one is greenhouse gas concentrations and scientists agree that depending on the levels of increase in these gases will determine the future rise in atmospheric temperatures and consequently sea levels. However this depends on a number of factors, for example, growth in population, use of energy and development of new technologies. Climate sensitivity, which refers to the level of atmospheric warming that result from the increasing carbon dioxide in the air, is another factor (Houghton 48). This is significant enough to be regarded as a source of uncertainty in the forecast of long-term climate change, as the levels of carbon dioxide are bound to change with time. Another factor is ocean heat exchange, where there is heat movement between the ocean's surface and the atmosphere. What goes on in the ocean influences the temperature at the surface at any one time. Small changes in the transport of heat or salt have significant effects on the surface temperature, and ultimately on climate. There is uncertainty over the response of the ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica to many years of higher temperatures. Scientists have raised concerns that there could rapid disintegration of the West Antarctic ice sheet, resulting to a rapid rise in sea level. In addition to these global uncertainties, the rate and magnitude of change in sea-level varies in different places in response to the changes in ocean currents and vertical movements land itself and in some areas, sea level might actually fall. An increase in overall temperatures is expected to melt mountain glaciers and cold regions like the Greenland and the Antarctic ice sheets, which will in turn lead to a rise in global sea levels. Judging by the current rates at which the sea level is rising, there is some doubt that the global temperature forecasts are incorrect. This is because the rate at which ice sheets are melting or sliding into the oceans cannot be determined, since they are different for different regions. Additionally, some processes are not purely a result of climate change. Satellite data and hydrographic, climate models, observations have shown that sea level is not uniformly rising in around the world. There is a rise in sea levels along most of the U.S. Coasts and around the world. For example, Washington has an estimated 2,300 miles of marine coastline and a large number of its population living and working along these coasts (Niemi, 13). The communities in these coasts are particularly in danger of facing the adverse effects of the climate change, which puts the population at risk in terms of their homes and property. It is also important to note that over the last century, sea levels have risen between 5 to 6 inches more than the global average; with the areas most affected being the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. A rise in sea levels increases the vulnerability of coastal areas to flooding during storms, for example, given a storm surge from a hurricane or northeaster builds on a higher base of water. For example, it is estimated that existing development in the U.S coastal zone could experience a 36-58 percent increase in annual damages for a 1 foot rise in sea level, and up to 102-200 percent increase for a 3 foot rise. Vulnerability to storms is also increased by shore erosion which removes the dunes and beaches that protect the properties along the coast from storm waves. A rise in sea levels also increases flooding along the coast from rainstorms because low areas drain slowly as sea levels rise. Wetlands are often found in low-lying locations, and might be converted into habitats of high value to deep waters (Workman 5). Wetlands and estuaries are of importance to low-lying areas since they help in protection against flooding by the absorption of excess water and the filtration of pollutants. Wetlands and estuaries also help in stabilizing the shorelines and the provision of habitats for wildlife like salmons and water fowls, shrimps, crabs and herons. Climate change is forecasted to bring about an increase in storm intensities and wave heights. In places like the Pacific Ocean, the heightened frequency of intense storms coupled with increasing wave heights will result in very high rates of coastal erosion storm damage. The increase in waves and storms are bound to cause a lot of property damage, for example, Landslides, erosions and washouts are bound to destroy transport systems. High sea levels may result in salt water penetrating wells in low-lying communities, which reduces the availability of fresh water to these communities. Water managers face a lot of challenges on islands. Island county ground relies solely on rainfall to refill their water aquifers. The Island County is located at the rain-shadow of Olympic Mountains, and receives 17-40 inches of rain annually. Aquifers that are at sea level or lower are connected to Puget Sound salt water. Part of these aquifers may have saltwater. Serious problems might arise when there is sea water intrusion and movement of marine saltwater into freshwater aquifers. Conclusion Property owners and federal, state, and local governments are already taking measures in preparation for the consequences of the rising sea level. Coastal states are working together with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to place sand on the beaches to offset and help reduce erosion along the shores. Property owners are elevating already existing structures in low-lying areas, encouraged by low rates of flood insurance. Several other States have had to take up policies that ensure that beaches, dunes, or wetlands are able to migrate inland with the rise in sea level. Some States have outlawed the construction of new houses in areas likely to have been eroded in the coming 30-60 years. This is being done in a bid to protect civilians against property loss. Property owners along sandy bay beaches are also advised to erect various types of sea walls to prevent erosion. Even though these tough structures might protect property, they might eliminate bay beaches, which are 10 feet wide or less. In addition to their environmental importance, beaches are important as they provide grounds for fishing, recreation, transportation, and airstrips for small crafts. Works Cited Archer, David. Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast, 2011. Denver: John Wiley and Sons. FEMA. Evaluation of Erosion Hazards, 2010. Online. Accessed November 30, 2011. Houghton, John. Global Warming: The Complete Briefing, 2004. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Print. Maslin, Mark. Global Warming: Causes, Effects, and the Future World Life Library, 2007. China: MBI Publishing Company. Neumann, James, and Gary Yohe, and Robert Nicholla, and Michelle Manion. Sea Level Rise and Global Climate Change: A Review of the Impacts to U.S. Coasts, 2000. Washington: Pew Center on Global Climate Change. Niemi, Ernie. An Overview of Potential Economic Costs to Washington of a Business-As-Usual Approach to Climate Change, 2009. Washington, Climate Leadership Initiatives. Weart, Spencer. The Discovery of Global Warming New Histories of Science, Technology, And Medicine, 2008. Harvard: Harvard University Press, Workman, Dave. Issue up Close: Sustaining Our Remaining Wetlands for People, Fish and Wildlife-Mitigation That Works, 2006. Online. Accessed November 30, 2011. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Affection of the Rising of the Sea Level on Global Warming Research Paper”, n.d.)
Affection of the Rising of the Sea Level on Global Warming Research Paper. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/english/1438438-sea-level-rising-and-the-affects-on-global-low
(Affection of the Rising of the Sea Level on Global Warming Research Paper)
Affection of the Rising of the Sea Level on Global Warming Research Paper. https://studentshare.org/english/1438438-sea-level-rising-and-the-affects-on-global-low.
“Affection of the Rising of the Sea Level on Global Warming Research Paper”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/english/1438438-sea-level-rising-and-the-affects-on-global-low.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Affection of the Rising of the Sea Level on Global Warming

Impact of Globalization on Commerce

hellip; Technology has led to environmental hazards which have resulted in environmental problems like global warming and the extinction of previous identified generations.... In this case study, we are going to limit our research on the issue of global warming as a consequence of globalization and climate change (Shaw, 2007).... Most of the natural resources on earth are non-renewable while their demand is overwhelmingly high and as a result of increased human activity to balance this phenomenon; technology has been implemented to overcome the challenges presented by this threat but not without some consequences of greenhouse gas emissions which have eventually resulted to global warming (Kemp, 1994)....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Polar ice and climate change

Extrapolations of existing data suggest that thermal expansion and ice sheet changes will dominate the processes affecting the sea level (Ward, 2003).... hellip; Consequently, there has been a rise in the sea levels owing to the melting of the polar ice cap, which in turn speeds up global warming.... Fundamentally, the dangers associated with global warming are erratic changes in the weather, which are experienced in extremity, causing persistent natural disasters and extinction of species....
3 Pages (750 words) Research Paper

Global Warming as the Environmental Issue

global warming-Ethics Name Institution global warming-Ethics Introduction global warming is arguably the most debated environmental issue in the world today.... Fern (2003) notes that global warming has been a key concern for everyone including environmentalists, government leaders, corporations, and individuals worldwide.... Fern (2003) defines global warming as the increase in the average temperatures of the earth and oceans....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

The Reasons for Global Warming

Is there global warming Yes, there is global, though not everyone agrees on the fact that is happening, how to deal with it, or what the end results will be.... In this paper we will discuss global warming The United Nations Climate Change Conference is to be held this week in Copenhagen.... It will be a very significant meeting and the primary aim is to slow global warming.... If global warming is so important then why did the last treaty not get signed2 The "Identifying Signatures of Natural Climate Variability in Time Series of Global-Mean Surface Temperature:Methodology and Insights" study is an international study done by a team of scientists from Colorado State University, Washington State University, East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom, and Exeter, United Kingdom....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

The Effect of Rising Sea Levels on Global Coasts

The future effects of global warming on ice-bound polar regions may result in increasing rises in sea levels.... The purpose of this paper is to determine the various geographical effects of rising sea levels on global coasts.... The rise in sea level is correlated with a global rise in temperature.... These effects are intensifying in the 21st century with various climatic effects including a higher rate of global sea level rise (Warrick et al: 257)....
16 Pages (4000 words) Essay

Climate Change, Global Warming, and Related Issues

The UNIPCC has solid evidence on global warming and climate change.... This paper "Climate Change, global warming, and Related Issues" discusses the following as among the symptoms of climate change: cold nights and frosts have become infrequent while hot days and nights have become frequent inland areas, heavy precipitation or rains have increased in many areas.... In the ongoing global warming, although the ocean is taking up 80% of the additional heat, the land regions have warmed faster than the oceans (UNIPCC 30)....
9 Pages (2250 words) Term Paper

Terrible Effect of Global Warming

The paper "Terrible Effect of global warming" discusses that America and other developed nations must find ways to tackle this alarming issue as soon as possible before it starts affecting the agricultural ones more effectively.... arbon fertilization may reduce the effects of global warming on agriculture but the percentage will be very minimal.... griculture is a major affected area of global warming and administrations of countries are busy in finding a solution to this problem....
5 Pages (1250 words) Assignment

Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

For short climate change, raise the sea level which will get over the coastal habitats everywhere, causing severe flooding, erosion, and disruption of low lying shorelines.... This coursework "Greenhouse Effect and global warming" focuses on the release of gaseous substances into the atmosphere has significantly caused subsequent increased temperature levels in the ozone layer.... nbsp;These effects have a negative impact on life in the sea.... t is a situation where the air around the earth's surface and in the sea increases to a larger extent....
10 Pages (2500 words) Coursework
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us