Climate Change Raising Sea Levels Much Faster Than Earlier, Big Cities At Risk

February 16, 2023 2:03 PM | Skymet Weather Team

The last 8 years(2015-2022) were  the hottest on record.  Historical data also speak loud that  8 warmest years on record have occurred since 2014.  World is now 1.2 Degree Celsius hotter than it was in the 2nd half of the 19th century. Human activities are considered as main drivers and is largely attributed to the emission of planet warming Carbon Dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels.

World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)  has underlined the climate change  linked rise in sea level, menacing countries like India, China, Bangladesh and Netherland. The MMO report says that sea level has risen at the rate of 4.5mm per year during 2013-22.  It also expressed fear that this rise could continue through this century recording a total rise of 0.6mtr as compared to the levels between 1995-2014.  Fear is expressed that this will affect not only small island nations but also big coastal cities like Mumbai, Dhaka, Shanghai, Bangkok, London, Newyork and many more. 

WMO report also mentions that global mean sea level has risen faster since 1900 than over any preceding century in at least the last 3000 years.  There is a cascading effect of global rise in temperatures as well. Arctic ice cover has dropped to its lowest levels , since 2012.  Melting of ice sheets and glaciers have increased the threat perception for the coastal zones. Deep intrusion of salt water along the coastline will also impact land fertility and soil moisture. 

Rise of Sea Level (mm per year )

As per scientist and researchers, climate change will see powerful " grey swan"  cyclones hitting the Persian, parts of Florida and Australia more frequently over the next century. Researchers simulated the risk of such cyclones, and their storm surges and found that they could strike regions such as Dubai, where no tropical storm has impacted, so far. For Florida and Australia, the already frequent storms were likely to rise to unprecedented magnitudes in the next century. 

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