Climate change has been on the minds of scientists, environmentalists, politicians, and even the average person for some time now, and the more we learn about increasing global temperatures and rising sea levels, the more we realize what a mammoth task it will be to protect our planet.

Since 1880, global sea levels have risen by 8 inches (20.32cm), and scientists believe that in another 80 years time the sea could rise another 8.2 feet (2.5m). Considering that more than two-thirds of Earth is already covered in water, we can expect many coastal regions and islands — including New York City, New Orleans, Mumbai, the Maldives, and more — to experience flooding. Some of these places may even disappear underwater.

In Rising Seas: Flooding, Climate Change and Our New World, Keltie Thomas examines what could happen if humanity doesn’t act quickly to combat climate change. This beautifully illustrated book also outlines what can be done at home to help.

Here are five facts you may not know about rising sea levels, plus some inspiration for what you can do.

1. If the ice sheet in Greenland — which is nearly as large as Mexico — were to melt completely, sea level would rise about 20 feet (6m) — about three times the height of the average professional basketball player. If the Antarctic ice sheet melted, sea level would rise between 180-197 feet (55-60m) — covering the Statue of Liberty by more than a whole head and shoulders.

2. The destruction caused by rising sea levels can be held at bay by human-made devices. The Netherlands has the world’s most advanced plan for combating rising sea levels, and the Dutch began building dikes along the coast to hold back the sea as early as 500 BCE. The Maeslant Barrier can hold back a force equivalent to 350,000 strong men, each hauling 220 pounds (100kg).

3. It’s not just landmass that will be affected by rising seas. There are also about 130 UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the globe that face long-term risk from rising sea levels, including India’s breath-taking City of Caves on Elephanta Island off the coast of Mumbai.

4. Sea level rise is affecting places close to home. In Canada, the sea level is rising twice as fast in Nova Scotia in comparison to the rest of the world, and Lennox Island off the coast of Prince Edward Island may be completely underwater by 2065. In the United States, Miami Beach has been called “ground zero” for rising sea levels, and the city of New Orleans is sinking faster than any other city on earth.

5. It may already be too late in some regions. The Marshall Islands, a Pacific island nation with a population of over 53,000, have experienced faster sea level rises than anywhere else in the world due to changing trade winds, and many scientists fear it may be too late to save the country from rising waters. Similarly, Kiribati, an island nation halfway between Hawaii and Australia, was once made up of 35 islands. Now there are only 33 islands.

So how can you get involved? Get a copy of Rising Seas: Flooding, Climate Change and Our New World by Keltie Thomas to find out more, and start following these five easy steps to help the fight against climate change. 

 

 

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Get the book:

 Rising Seas: Flooding, Climate Change and Our New World