rising sea levels
Newsletter
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Scientists see some risks of catastrophic climate events as lower but still concerning
Recent studies suggest that some worst-case climate scenarios, like the collapse of the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, are less likely than previously thought, though other threats like the collapse of the AMOC remain serious concerns.
In short:
- The Thwaites Glacier, also known as the "Doomsday Glacier," is still melting, but its rapid collapse is less likely within this century.
- Greenland's ice sheet is melting faster than expected, but it may be more resilient if global temperatures are controlled.
- Scientists continue to study the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which could collapse by 2050, leading to significant climate disruptions.
Key quote:
"Unfortunately, Thwaites Glacier is still going to retreat and with it most of the West Antarctic ice sheet, but not as rapidly as one scenario suggested."
— Mathieu Morlighem, professor of earth sciences, Dartmouth University
Why this matters:
Rising sea levels, driven by ice sheet melt and ocean circulation changes, threaten coastal cities and could lead to widespread displacement and severe weather changes. These scenarios remain potential global challenges despite some recent optimism.
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Louisiana's coastal parishes face financial challenges amid climate change
The town of Jean Lafitte struggles with rising sea levels, inadequate storm protection and soaring insurance costs as residents fight to preserve their community.
In short:
- Jean Lafitte's mayor, Timothy Kerner Jr., criticizes federal aid exclusions post-Hurricane Ida, impacting the town's recovery. He advocates for more federal support to protect the community.
- The town battles rising insurance premiums, with many residents unable to afford raising their homes to mitigate flood risks. The cost of lifting homes is prohibitive for most.
- Residents like Benny Alexia and Ian Terrio remain committed to their community, despite economic and environmental challenges, highlighting a deep cultural connection and resistance to relocation.
Key quote:
“If you don’t start to invest in protecting these people, and you don’t give them that aid, then when storms hit the response is going to be astronomically more over the years.”
— Timothy Kerner Jr., mayor of Jean Lafitte.
Why this matters:
Coastal communities like Jean Lafitte face increasingly severe climate impacts, leading to economic and social strains. Without adequate support, such areas risk losing cultural heritage and displacing long-time residents.
Read more: Louisiana eases insurance cancellations, raising concerns
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Newsletter
Rising sea levels make Texas Gulf Coast prone to frequent flooding
The Texas Gulf Coast faces increasing flooding due to rising sea levels and land subsidence, averaging 10.7 flood days a year compared to the national average of 6.8.
In short:
- The Texas Gulf Coast experiences more frequent flooding than other U.S. coastal regions, with an average of 10.7 flood days per year.
- Land subsidence and global sea level rise are primary contributors, exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions and natural resource extraction.
- Projections indicate significant future impacts, with up to six feet of sea level rise by 2100 potentially submerging many coastal areas.
Key quote:
“Over the last 30 years the rates of sea level rise along the Gulf Coast have been the highest in the nation, and it’s only going to accelerate. Beyond 2050 we’re talking beyond the goal posts, with the potential for some really big numbers if emissions don’t abate.”
— William Sweet, oceanographer at NOAA
Why this matters:
Increased flooding threatens infrastructure, including sewage systems and roads, and could render many communities uninhabitable. Increased storm severity and frequency mean that evacuation routes, emergency shelters, and disaster response plans are under constant pressure. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and low-income families, face heightened risks, often lacking the resources to recover quickly from such events.
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Rising seas lead to chronic flooding in Carolina Beach
In Carolina Beach, N.C., high tides and outdated infrastructure contribute to regular flooding, disrupting life in this coastal community.
Brady Dennis, Niko Kommenda, and Emily Wright report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Coastal flooding in Carolina Beach, N.C., is becoming more frequent due to rising sea levels.
- The town's stormwater infrastructure, built generations ago, is now often submerged by high tides.
- Researchers have documented flooding on Canal Drive on 60 days over the past year, far exceeding federal projections.
Key quote:
“The higher tides are lingering more often. When we do have an event, it’s multiple days.”
— Jeremy Hardison, planning and development director for Carolina Beach
Why this matters:
Rising sea levels and more frequent flooding threaten infrastructure and daily life in coastal communities. This persistent problem inconveniences daily life and raises significant environmental and health concerns. The flooding can contaminate local waterways with pollutants, posing risks to marine life and the health of beachgoers. The infrastructure, often overwhelmed by the rising waters, struggles to cope, exacerbating the situation.
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Climate change is erasing crucial Indigenous languages
A recent report highlights how climate change is accelerating the loss of Indigenous languages, which hold vital ecological knowledge.
In short:
- Indigenous languages, which encompass crucial environmental knowledge, are disappearing due to climate-induced migrations and environmental changes.
- Extreme weather and rising sea levels are forcing Indigenous communities to abandon their homelands, taking their languages with them.
- Efforts are underway to document and preserve these languages, as they offer unique insights into environmental conservation, but hampered by climate impacts and historical colonialism.
Key quote:
"Indigenous languages contain inventories of species, classification systems, etiological narratives, and, above all, ways of managing diversity, a fundamental technology for the preservation and biorestoration of the environment."
— Altaci Corrêa Rubim/Tataiya Kokama, University of Brasília
Why this matters:
The loss of Indigenous languages means losing critical environmental knowledge that can aid in combating climate change. Read more: Feeling “invisible”: How language barriers worsen environmental injustice.
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Credit: Amio James Ascension/Flickr
Rising sea levels threaten women's reproductive health in Bangladesh
Women in Bangladesh are suffering severe health impacts from saltwater intrusion, a consequence of climate change that could soon affect other parts of the world.
Zoya Teirstein and Mahadi Al Hasnat report for Grist, Vox, and The 19th.
In short:
- Saltwater intrusion in Bangladesh is causing reproductive health issues, including irregular menstrual cycles and infections, particularly affecting women.
- The rise in sea levels, intensified by climate change, is pushing saline water inland, contaminating drinking water supplies and driving migration from rural areas to cities.
- Similar threats from rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion are emerging globally, affecting countries like Egypt, Vietnam, and the U.S.
Key quote:
“The people are trapped. When you don’t have water to drink, how do you live?”
— Zion Bodrud-Doza, researcher at the University of Guelph.
Why this matters:
As sea levels rise, saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies is a growing global health crisis, especially impacting women's reproductive health and driving mass migrations. Read more: Of water and fever.
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Rising sea levels threaten septic systems in the South
Rising sea levels are causing septic system failures in South Florida, posing significant health and environmental risks.
Brady Dennis, Kevin Crowe, and John Muyskens report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Flooding and malfunctioning septic systems are common in Miami neighborhoods, contaminating waterways with untreated sewage.
- Sea levels in the South have risen significantly, pushing groundwater higher and compromising septic system functionality.
- Miami-Dade County is investing heavily to replace septic systems with municipal sewer connections, a costly and extensive project.
Key quote:
“These are ticking time bombs under the ground that, when they fail, will pollute.”
— Andrew Wunderley, executive director of the nonprofit Charleston Waterkeeper
Why this matters:
Septic systems, which manage waste from homes and businesses not connected to centralized sewer systems, are designed to treat and disperse wastewater safely into the ground. However, with the water table rising due to climate change, these systems are increasingly unable to function properly. When groundwater levels rise, they can inundate the drain fields of septic systems, causing untreated or partially treated sewage to back up into homes or, worse, leach into the environment.
Be sure to read: What happens when you flush?
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