The Rise in Sea Level

Credit: www.climatecentral.org/

The impact that climate change has on the rise in sea level could be much greater than previously anticipated. According to German researchers, there are two factors that come to play in the rise - melting ice and the thermal expansion of water as it warms. Sea level expansion, now believed to be 1.4mm per year, is ever increasing as the years go by. This expansion has been greatly underestimated in the past, but now researchers are realizing just how much "heat-related expansion of the water mass in the oceans contributes to a global rise in sea level." The increase is not this cut and dry however, it can vary greatly from place to place. For example, the Philippines is said to be “rising at five times the global rate.”

The increased level of expansion is not unexpected. The rise in sea level is caused by global warming, and the average temperature has risen almost two degrees since the 1800s. Even with the global variation, climate change is the ultimate cause for increases everywhere. The harmful effects of global warming are so great that scientists have stated that if it was not a factor, sea levels may have actually fallen during the 20^th century. Climate change has been reported as the cause for three fourths of coastal flooding in the U.S. over the past ten years. Sea level increase is starting to be a big topic of conversation. “There’s a definite recognition among people who weren’t talking about sea level rise 5 years ago that it’s something to be concerned about,” said Laura Tam, a policy director at SPUR, which is an urban planning think-tank based in San Francisco. “And something that needs to be planned for.”

For more information: Climatecentral.org, Theguardian.com

What is the price of Climate Change? The Damage is immeasurable!

Cal Fire firefighters douse flames from a back-burn while fighting the Rocky Fire off Highway 20 near Clear Lake, California, on Aug. 2. (Photo: Josh Edelson)

Millions are being spent to fight forest fires that could easily be prevented if the changes in the climate were taken as seriously as they clearly are. What may be done? We must start now with the changes!

According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, fighting wildfires will take up two-thirds of Forest Service funding by 2025, or nearly $1.8 billion, as summer temperatures continue to rise owing to greenhouse gas emissions.

“Climate change and other factors are causing the cost of fighting fires to rise every year,” Vilsack said in a statement timed to the release of a new report on the Forest Service’s wildfire spending. “But the way we fund our Forest Service hasn’t changed in generations.”

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Once Change is Embraced

I remain resolute about the fight to reverse the rate of carbon emissions.  A calm, grim determination to demonstrate that human activity can co-exist with the balance of human activity and environmental protection.  I advocate a steady commitment toward the evaluation of emerging technologies and non-linear thinking to create sustainable infrastructure and behavior - adapting to evolving conditions dictated by Climate Change.

A dynamic intensity and openness will be necessary to successfully navigate disaster and opportunity.

Social protest against legislation to combat Climate Change and lower carbon emissions is grounded mostly in the human fear of change.  The status quo is a fierce obstacle which we must overcome in order to avoid coastal inundation of major cities such as Miami, New York and Boston.   The disruption caused by rising sea levels and catastrophic impacts from increased intensity of storm-surge and hurricanes (Typhoons in the Southern Hemisphere), will result in the global collapse of economies without exception or preference. 

Once change is embraced, wildly interesting options appear.

Climate Change affects priorities as the amplitude of storms multiplies and weather related drought, unprecedented rainfall and snow, and damaging winds shut down or impair local economies and entire regions of the US.

Forward looking businesses are developing strategies, devising plans, and implementing tactics to mitigate impacts from financial risk to their organization.  

Climate Change not only disrupts operations, but will paralyze entire organizations as we witnessed in New England during the period where we received almost 10 feet of snow in two months. Western portions of the US are facing an unprecedented drought which is crippling food production, power generation from dams, fire protection, and every single business that utilizes this precious resource in manufacturing or processing along with surrounding communities. 

Regional and national corporations are meeting regularly to analyze disaster recovery plans to insure the predictability of resources and supplies necessary to maintain operations. 

We have a set of unique assets in the realm of sustainability with an innovative expertise to deliver solutions in this changing business environment.

Donald E. Bowen, Jr., P.L.S.
Principal