As stated in our “How Methane Heating Works” article, “Natural gas derives from animal and plant matter that
was heated and pressurized in earth’s layers (hence why it is referred to as
“fossil fuel”).” Within the last century, the burning of these fossil fuels
combined with other human related activities, has released heat-trapping gases
into the atmosphere. In effect it has caused the Earth’s temperature and sea
levels to rise.
This rise in sea level
is linked to thermal expansion, melting of glaciers and polar ice caps, and ice
loss from Greenland and West Antarctica.
Thermal expansion is
when matter changes in volume due to a change in temperature. In the case of
rising sea levels, water temperatures have increased; therefore, it has
expanded.
The melting of glaciers
and polar icecaps is generally a naturally occurring phenomenon. During the
summer months these bodies of ice will undergo slight melting. Usually the
cycle continues so that in the winter the snow balances out the melting.
However, in recent years unusually high temperatures caused by climate change
have led these ice formations to melt at greater rates and reduced snowfall. In
turn the natural cycle has been disturbed causing more runoff than evaporation,
which leads sea levels to rise.
Similarly to the glaciers
and icecaps, the increase of temperatures has caused the ice sheets that cover
Greenland and Antarctica to melt at an accelerated rate.
Overall the rises in
sea levels have a negative effect on coastal communities. It can lead to
erosion, flooding, and contamination. Additionally higher sea levels provide
storms with dangerous amounts of force that can destroy everything in its path.
An example of this would be hurricane Sandy who devastated areas in the
Caribbean and along the east coast in the U.S. Ultimately rising sea levels affect
the economy in terms of businesses that depend on tourists who visit beaches
and coastal areas.
Should the temperatures
continue to rise at this accelerated rate, cities on the east and west coast in
the U.S., along with international areas like London and Greenland can
potentially suffer from submersion.
Looking to the future
we can improve drainage systems, elevate buildings, construct protective
barriers that deter flooding, and build houses and other structures away from
the coastline.
