sea level rise
Newsletter
Credit: Axel Antas-Bergkvist/Unsplash
Coastal tribe faces dire challenges as sea levels rise
The Quinault Indian Nation's efforts to relocate residents from a village threatened by the rising Pacific Ocean are hindered by insufficient funding and increasing climate impacts.
In short:
- Rising sea levels have severely affected the Quinault reservation in Taholah, Washington, with flooding causing mold and structural damage to homes.
- The tribe has been working for over a decade to relocate hundreds of residents, but needs over $400 million, far more than what current federal and state grants provide.
- Plans for a new village include climate-resilient infrastructure, but progress has been slow due to bureaucratic funding hurdles.
Key quote:
“We’ve seen the ocean come over the berm and actually come up against and even on top of the roofs of homes.”
— Guy Capoeman, Quinault President
Why this matters:
The Quinault tribe's struggle highlights the broader issue of how climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities. Without adequate funding and resources, these populations face severe risks to their health, homes, and cultural heritage.
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Credit: hartono subagio/Pixabay
Sea-level rise causes extinction of Key Largo tree cactus
Rising sea levels have driven the Key Largo tree cactus to extinction in the U.S., highlighting the immediate impact of climate change on coastal species.
In short:
- The Key Largo tree cactus, native to Florida Keys, has gone extinct in the U.S. due to rising sea levels and soil salinity.
- Hurricanes, particularly Hurricane Irma, and saltwater intrusion from higher tides accelerated the cactus's decline.
- Efforts to conserve the species continue, with seeds and plant fragments cultivated in nurseries and seed banks.
Key quote:
“It’s a big deal when we lose species from an entire country.”
— George Gann, executive director, Institute for Regional Conservation
Why this matters:
This extinction exemplifies how climate change is already causing species loss, particularly in coastal areas. The fate of the Key Largo tree cactus foreshadows similar risks for other vulnerable coastal species.
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Citizen scientists map New Hampshire’s beaches
Citizen scientists have spent six years helping to track the changes in New Hampshire's coastline, providing crucial data on how different beaches respond to weather events.
In short:
- Volunteers monitor 15 beach stations, collecting data on elevation and sand volume to understand coastal changes.
- Training involves stringent procedures with UNH scientists to ensure accurate data collection.
- Findings help identify vulnerable beaches and foster community engagement with coastal science.
Key quote:
“Where are the beaches that need the most help to prevent the worst impacts of storms?”
— Larry Ward, one of the principal investigators of the University of New Hampshire’s Volunteer Beach Profile Monitoring Program
Why this matters:
New Hampshire’s coastline, though short, is a microcosm of broader environmental challenges. As sea levels rise and weather patterns become more erratic due to climate change, understanding how our beaches evolve is more important than ever.
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Credit: Phil Burrows/Pixabay
Headstones are restored to Poplar Island after 60 years
Gravestones from Poplar Island were returned after six decades, fulfilling a family's dream and marking a significant historical restoration.
In short:
- Poplar Island in the Chesapeake Bay, once lost to erosion, has been restored using dredged material from shipping channels.
- The Howeth family rescued five gravestones from the island in the 1960s and recently returned them as part of the island’s restoration.
- The gravestones were installed in a prominent location on the island, now serving as a historical marker for visitors.
Why this matters:
The erosion of Poplar Island is a poignant reminder of the urgency to address climate change. Each lost acre is not just land disappearing, but a fragment of history washing away, a community's memory sinking beneath the waves.
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Credit: Four Oaks/Big Stock Photo
Rising sea levels may force millions to relocate by 2050
Millions of Americans could see their daily lives disrupted by frequent flooding due to rising sea levels by 2050, a new study warns.
In short:
- Almost 1,100 critical infrastructure assets in the US face the risk of monthly flooding by 2050, with 934 at risk every other week.
- Coastal communities, including California and Florida, need urgent resilience measures or relocations to avoid becoming unlivable.
- Disadvantaged communities, with higher proportions of Black, Latino, and Native American residents, are most at risk.
Key quote:
“Failing to prioritize resilience solutions in these communities risks reinforcing the harmful legacy of environmental racism and colonialism in places already grossly underserved and overlooked.”
— Juan Declet-Barreto, senior social scientist for climate vulnerability at UCS
Why this matters:
Rising sea levels will increasingly threaten homes, schools, and vital infrastructure, especially in marginalized communities. Without urgent action, the frequency and severity of floods will worsen existing social inequalities and force mass relocations.
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Credit: Paul Summers/Unsplash
NASA mission aims to freeze glaciers in place to prevent catastrophic sea-level rise
NASA's $1.5 billion NISAR satellite, launching soon, will monitor Earth's glaciers and could support interventions to halt their disintegration, crucial for coastal regions.
In short:
- The NISAR satellite, a collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation, will provide detailed images of the cryosphere every 12 days.
- Glaciologists are exploring technological interventions, such as freezing glaciers in place, to slow down ice loss and mitigate sea-level rise.
- The loss of the Thwaites Glacier could significantly impact global sea levels, posing a threat to coastal cities and low-lying areas worldwide.
Key quote:
"I’m not going to be satisfied simply documenting the demise of these environments that I care about."
— Brent Minchew, glaciologist at MIT
Why this matters:
Preventing glacier disintegration is vital to avoid dramatic sea-level rise that could displace millions and cause widespread ecological and economic damage. Interventions like those proposed offer potential solutions to manage this risk proactively.
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Credit: UN Women Asia and the Pacific/Flickr
The US must acknowledge climate debt to protect vulnerable nations
To mitigate the impact of climate change, wealthy nations like the U.S. need to take responsibility and provide reparations to countries most affected by global warming.
In short:
- Thirty-three years after the Chantilly climate conference, global temperatures and emissions have risen dramatically, causing severe environmental crises.
- The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) proposed a framework for climate reparations in 1991, which remains relevant but has yet to be fully implemented.
- Despite some progress, wealthy nations, including the US, have largely failed to make significant commitments to climate reparations.
Key quote:
"The very existence of low-lying coastal and small vulnerable island countries is placed at risk by the consequences of climate change."
— Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) delegates.
Why this matters:
Addressing climate debt is crucial for preventing the collapse of vulnerable nations and ensuring global stability. Ignoring these obligations could lead to severe worldwide consequences, including increased migration and geopolitical instability. Read more: Scientists probe ancient history of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and find unsettling news about sea level rise.
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