Green Climate Seeker

Tag: Sea Level Rise and Melting Glaciers

  • The Science Behind Climate Change – What You Need to Know.

    The Science Behind Climate Change – What You Need to Know.

    Changes in Earth’s climate are consistent with an increase in heat-trapping greenhouse gases due to human activities, including burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and land-use changes. This warming phenomenon has its source in human activities like burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas).

    Increased concentrations of these gases are also contributing to more complex climate processes that accelerate, including Arctic sea ice reduction and energy transfer from ocean to atmosphere.

    Climate change is happening.

    Scientists agree on one point: climate change is real and human activity is the cause. Earth has experienced climate changes throughout history, but nothing compares with the rapid global temperature rise we’ve witnessed since mid-20th century. Human activities largely contribute to this rate of warming as fossil fuel use creates heat-trapping greenhouse gasses which trap heat inside our atmosphere and lead to warming trends like this one.

    As these gases absorb and trap solar heat, they warm the planet while altering natural systems – this phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect and it’s the main driver behind climate change. Interacting gases further amplify initial warming processes and lead to further changes; for instance, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases found in air can deplete stratospheric ozone levels which in turn leads to further warming effects.

    Recent studies show that human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, are driving global warming. Human actions increase heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, especially CO2. Scientists can measure old carbon in modern atmosphere and compare it with past levels – this evidence confirms that current CO2 levels exceed those before the Industrial Revolution.

    Global temperatures are increasing at an alarming rate and they’re impacting everyone, everywhere. Altering weather patterns put our lives in jeopardy – from devastating floods and prolonged drought to sea level rise and sea level remapping – even leading to food shortages, loss of biodiversity, more frequent extreme weather events that damage infrastructure and harm communities.

    Weather fluctuations will continue naturally, yet scientific evidence overwhelmingly points to climate change as being real and having serious repercussions now. Without swift action to reduce our emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases, risks will only worsen further – often leaving the poorest countries and people of color to bear its brunt.

    It’s caused by humans.

    Human activities have been the primary contributor to climate change over the last century, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal that produce carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 traps heat in the atmosphere and warms our planet; other human influences include deforestation, changes to land cover and water use.

    These changes alter our planet’s energy balance, affecting global temperatures and weather patterns as well as biodiversity, food safety and availability, water scarcity, poverty, conflict and migration. Climate change affects everyone.

    Climate can be affected by both natural forces like volcanic eruptions and human activities like deforestation; however, human activities have the greatest effect. A major contributor is carbon dioxide (a “heat trapping gas”) from human activity – whether through burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil or natural gas or deforestation, agriculture or land-use changes as well as deforestation, agriculture or any other means.

    Arrhenius first proposed in 1859 that rising atmospheric CO2 levels may contribute to global warming; however, his work failed to gain widespread support at that time as geologic evidence showed ice ages occurring over thousands of years and laboratory experiments suggested changes in CO2 levels had little bearing on heat absorption.

    Carbon isotope measurements provide scientists with compelling evidence of our role in driving recent increases in carbon dioxide. Scientists can use carbon isotope measurements to distinguish between “older” carbon molecules produced through burning fossil fuels and natural living system production; and “newer” lighter carbon atoms produced through living systems – with the older carbon having its own distinctive isotopic fingerprint making its identification straightforward.

    Scientific studies are increasingly exploring the impact of human-driven climate change on various aspects of life. Researchers have demonstrated how higher CO2 levels make extreme events–like the 2003 European heatwave that killed tens of thousands–more likely. Climate change also made record temperatures during Hurricane Harvey three times more likely.

    It’s dangerous.

    Scientists, researchers, and affected individuals worldwide report changes that go beyond normal temperature fluctuations on land and in the oceans, rainfall patterns, and many other systems on our planet. These anomalous changes are evidence of global warming caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation that increase heat-trapping gases in our atmosphere.

    Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants accumulate for decades to centuries in our atmosphere, blocking out part of Earth’s heat radiation from escaping into space and thus contributing to climate change. Even slight increases in average global temperatures can trigger shifts in weather patterns or extreme events such as record floods, violent storms or deadly heat waves – potentially increasing risks significantly.

    Current atmospheric CO2 concentration levels are the highest they’ve been in 650,000 years – an indicator of human-caused environmental degradation. Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have contributed to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations through burning of fossil fuels and extensive deforestation activities.

    CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions are projected to increase further, leading to further climate change due to energy use, economic development and population growth. This poses serious concerns as many experts recognize that current rates of energy usage, economic development and population expansion will lead to sustained climate change with potentially dramatic consequences.

    As our planet warms, glaciers and ice sheets melt, sea levels rise and disrupt natural ecosystems on Earth – impacting food production, water availability, coastal communities and many other aspects of life on our beautiful but fragile Earth. These changes have already had serious repercussions that are destabilizing ecosystems across our beautiful yet vulnerable world.

    Some impacts may be reversible, while many will not. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we are nearing “tipping points”, thresholds past which changes may accelerate irrevocably and become irreversible – including Arctic ice melt and Greenland ice sheet collapse and degradation of coral reefs. Most vulnerable people across the planet, especially economically disadvantaged and people of color will bear the brunt of these shifts.

    It’s our responsibility.

    Atmospheric change has long been driven by natural processes, including volcanic activity and changes to solar output, but they do not account for recent rises in global temperatures caused by human activities like fossil fuel burning, increasing ocean heat content, and shifting air circulation patterns.

    Over 97% of scientists agree that humans are the cause of climate change. Human activities, like burning fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal), create greenhouse gases which act like blankets around our planet and trap solar energy, warming global temperatures. Carbon dioxide levels used to fluctuate naturally due to volcanic activity or animal breathing out oxygen into their systems but since the Industrial Revolution humans have produced unprecedented quantities of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that have contributed significantly to temperature rise worldwide.

    Human-caused climate impacts that we are currently witnessing include rising sea levels, shrinking mountain glaciers, increased Greenland and Antarctica ice melt rates and altered rainfall patterns; shifting rain-fall patterns; altered rain-to-sun ratios; altered rain-droplet distribution patterns and shifting flower/plant bloom times – impacts that were not anticipated by scientists earlier. Scientists’ projections will likely continue to accelerate.

    Climate change impacts all people worldwide, yet is already having devastating effects. Wildfires, hurricanes, flooding and drought are already occurring and endangering food production, homes and livelihoods; those most at risk include those living in poverty as well as communities that experience gender, racial or economic disparities.

    Good news is that it is indeed feasible for us to reduce emissions and limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius or less with significant reductions in fossil fuel and other harmful chemical consumption. Unfortunately, however, Big Oil lobbyists and their supporters are doing all they can to sow doubt and delay meaningful climate action.

    Our planet needs our collective effort and action now more than ever; together we must enact policies to achieve rapid, deep and permanent reductions of greenhouse gas emissions required to secure its future.

  • Climate Change in the Delta Area

    Climate Change in the Delta Area

    Climate change is changing water and weather patterns worldwide, including in the delta area. Changes in these patterns will raise flood elevations, shorten the vertical distance between levees and floodwaters, and increase levee seepage and stability failures. The Bay Area has already experienced a sea level rise of approximately eight inches since 1850, and a continued rise could cause further damage to the region. The amount of sea level rise in the Delta depends on tides and regional land subsidence.

    Impacts of climate change on Mekong Delta

    Recent studies have shown that the Mekong delta plain is below local sea level. However, this does not necessarily mean that the delta will be under water. The Mekong plain is higher than the Hon Dau tidal datum, which is used to assess the level of water in the region. Furthermore, SRTM and MERIT data are referenced to EGM96 datum, and therefore show a higher elevation than the Hon Dau tidal datum.

    As the Mekong River Basin is rapidly developing, it is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. These changes in the river basin will affect the flows of the river and the agricultural landscape in the region. Nonetheless, these changes can be mitigated through human interventions. For example, farmers in the region should adopt new farming practices to cope with climate change.

    In the Mekong Delta, climate change has also resulted in a large number of displaced people. The increasing risk of floods in the region is a major contributor to this urbanization. Furthermore, climate change is linked to an increased risk of droughts. This has led to the displacement of nearly 24,000 people per year from Mekong Delta provinces.

    Changing climate conditions may alter the level of seawater, which affects the delta’s elevation. This will affect how much time it takes for a delta to flood before it is permanently submerged. The Mekong delta elevation is currently lower than what the international research community has projected. This is particularly true for the southwestern region of the Mekong delta, which includes the provinces of Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, and Kien Giang.

    Changing climate conditions can also affect the Mekong Delta’s surface elevation. Combined with land subsidence, climate change can significantly alter the delta’s elevation. A m SLR can cause up to 50 mm of land subsidence over the delta plain.

    Impacts of climate change on rice yields

    A few studies have evaluated the impact of climate change on rice production and the market for rice. The Furuya, Kobayashi, and Yamauchi (2014) study is one of the first to consider the responses of the rice market to climate change. The researchers used evapotranspiration as one of the variables to determine the impact of climate change on rice yields and farming areas.

    Climate change impacts the yield of rice by reducing the amount of water available to the crop. This is due to an increase in the mean maximum and minimum temperatures as well as the changing rainfall pattern. Although climate change may reduce rice yields in the short term, other adaptations can help farmers offset the negative effects of climate change on rice yields. For example, farmers can invest in farming machines and irrigation facilities, improve their infrastructure, and improve their rice cultivars to resist disease. They can also use extension systems to help them adjust their crops to changing weather conditions.

    The study found that increasing precipitation by 100 mm would decrease wet-season rice production by 0.2 t/ha. In contrast, a decrease in precipitation would result in a loss of 0.6 t/ha. Moreover, the spring crop is the most productive.

    The study’s findings highlight the importance of assessing climate-related risks and adaptation strategies for rice cultivation in delta areas. The study used historical measurement data from various provinces and used a statistical model to compare the effects of climate change on rice yields. The resultant graph shows the response of measured rice yield to climate change.

    A study in Vietnam found that an increase in temperature by one degree Celsius could cause a 0.38 t/ha reduction in wet-season rice yields. As a result, the model included thirteen endogenous and ten exogenous variables. Nevertheless, other variables were not included in the study.

    Impacts of climate change on recreational facilities

    The Delta is home to a variety of recreational facilities, including parks, marinas, scenic highways, trails, and waterways. The region also has many culturally significant sites. These sites are likely to be impacted by climate change. For example, floodwaters could significantly affect the water temperature and adversely affect sensitive fish species. The Delta’s recreational facilities may also be adversely affected by drought conditions.

    Climate change also affects recreational activities, including backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. Increasing temperatures make physical activity in these environments less enjoyable. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as sea-level rise and drought. This will impact outdoor recreation activities, including swimming and water activities.

    The Delta is already experiencing climate change impacts from changing hydrologic patterns and sea-level rise. According to the vulnerability assessment, these impacts will continue to increase and become more severe over the next several decades. Other impacts will include more frequent extreme heat events, more extreme droughts, wildfires that threaten air quality, and flooding. In addition to environmental impacts, these impacts also affect people. For this reason, long-term recreation planning should take climate change into account.

    The Delta Stewardship Council has a comprehensive approach to climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation strategy. The initiative’s seven steps include reviewing climate change science, developing an inventory of assets, and analyzing risks and vulnerabilities. This will culminate in a comprehensive adaptation strategy for the Delta.

    Need for new techniques and sensors

    The Danube delta is the largest wetland in the European Union and a global biodiversity hotspot with a variety of species that are at risk. The area is also home to 500 million people, many of whom live in sprawling megacities. By conservative estimates, the delta’s ecosystem services and economic value are worth trillions of dollars. This makes it especially important to monitor climate change in the area.

    Although global warming has only had a small impact on climate to date, the impact will be significantly larger in the future. Increasing sea levels and desertification have already made low-lying coastal areas particularly vulnerable. This climate change has also led to an increase in the number of environmental refugees and increased pressure on fresh water resources. And it is also affecting wetlands and tundra, and causing increased stress on these ecosystems.

    The study found that remote sensing can provide high spatial resolution and high accuracy for monitoring water quality indicators. This information could be vital for identifying indicators that are impacted by wetland restoration, human activities and climate change. The team also identified three additional monitoring programmes: Globe Observer, ISeeChange and LEO Network. These apps allow individuals to document the changes they observe in their lives and report them to a central data centre.

    The use of big data in environmental science has made it possible to collect a vast amount of information on global climate change and its effects. These data have been used to help scientists develop new models, increase knowledge and implement new laws to address these major adaptation risks.

    Initiatives to save deltas

    Coastal deltas are a prime example of dynamic landscapes that are extremely sensitive to changes in sea level. As such, they have gained ground in the debate over greenhouse warming. However, their vulnerability is not solely due to a rising sea level. The effects of climate change will also impact other aspects of the delta ecosystem, such as the landforming processes that sustain modern delta systems.

    The first step toward saving deltas from climate change is to fill knowledge gaps. This requires improved observational techniques and sensors. Satellite-based fluvial discharge estimation is a promising new development, but more hydrological stations and tidal gauges are badly needed. In addition, biophysical and biogeochemical research of wetland processes must be expanded. Lastly, agricultural and industrial practices need to be assessed. This enormous effort should be undertaken by governments, using standardized methodologies and advice from international agencies.

    Unfortunately, the cost of restoring deltas is prohibitively high. The Mississippi restoration plan, for example, will cost US$500 million to $1.5 billion per year. Even then, the plan will only stave off future land loss and cannot fully restore the vast wetlands that have been lost.

    One way to save deltas from climate change is to develop a resilient agricultural system. The Delta has long been concerned about climate change, and has committed to aligning its actions with international sustainability initiatives. In 2017, it passed Science-based Targets (SBTs) and has exceeded all of its targets for three consecutive years. It also continues to improve its water efficiency and reduce water pollution. In addition, it has assisted high-risk suppliers improve their facilities.

  • Sea Level Rise and Melting Glaciers

    Sea Level Rise and Melting Glaciers

    The melting of glaciers has caused sea levels to rise. This is a cause for concern because it is impacting marine life. This is especially true for coral reefs which depend on sunlight for photosynthesis. As sea levels rise, less light will reach these creatures. This will threaten their existence. But how can we prevent this from happening?

    Climate change

    The global warming trend is causing glaciers to melt faster than ever. The result is more water entering the ocean. This runoff has a major impact on sea level rise. And it has dire consequences for polar bears and walruses, among other wildlife. In fact, scientists estimate that more than a third of the world’s remaining glaciers will melt by 2100.

    Glaciers also provide water to the rivers, a critical resource for agriculture and hydropower generation. So, the finding of less ice is important for millions of people around the world. Although the amount of ice is less than originally thought, the reduction will reduce the pressure on the world’s water supplies.

    Melting glaciers contribute to rising sea levels, increasing coastal erosion and storm surge. Warming air and ocean temperatures are making coastal storms more frequent and more intense. The largest contributors to sea level rise are the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, which are rapidly disappearing. They are responsible for about 20% of sea level rise.

    Melting glaciers also affect vegetation and soil, which act as food for animals living at lower altitudes. Furthermore, it affects the permafrost, which poses problems for many species of animals. In addition, rising temperatures are threatening the survival rate of many species of wildlife. These species may be less able to reproduce because of the reduced availability of food.

    Human activity

    One of the effects of climate change is the melting of glaciers. Scientists are reporting alarming statistics and devastating news on the rapid disappearance of glaciers. Among the researchers behind this research is Dr. Paul Andrew Mayewski, a glaciologist and climate change expert from the University of Maine.

    The melting of glaciers has many consequences, the most immediate being the rise of sea level. Many coastal towns are now threatened by permanent flooding and increasing storm surges. The melting of glaciers also means that coastal regions will have less fresh water for drinking, watering crops, and generating electricity. Moreover, glaciers regulate the planet’s climate by reflecting the sun’s heat away from the Earth’s surface, which cools the air. The melting of glaciers reduces this cooling effect, allowing bacteria to release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

    In recent years, the effects of human activity have been felt throughout North America. The Midwest, Southwest, and Southeast have experienced massive shifts from ecosystems, while the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and northern Canada have seen even more dramatic changes in the past 250 years. As glaciers melted, humans also impacted the ecology of these regions.

    While there are currently efforts to halt the melting of glaciers, they may not be enough. The meltdown of the West Antarctic ice mass could have devastating consequences on sea levels around the world. But we must not give up the fight. With an awareness of what is happening, we can make better decisions to save our glaciers.

    Sea floor shape

    Scientists have discovered that the shape of the sea floor is changing dramatically with melting glaciers. The warm ocean water is causing the ice sheet covering most of Greenland to melt more quickly than expected. This change is largely due to the ocean’s current, which is flushing warm water from the Atlantic towards the ice sheet. The researchers used data from two NASA missions to study the changing shape of the sea floor. One mission, Operation IceBridge, uses airplanes to measure ice thickness, while the other uses gravity instruments and sonar to map the seafloor near glacier fronts. They both drop hundreds of probes into the ocean each year.

    The ocean floor is shifting in a way that changes the shape of the Earth’s continents. Scientists have long known that the weight of the oceans will cause seafloor deformation, but they have not attempted to measure this deformation until now. The latest data from satellite measurements and ocean sensors has revealed that between 1993 and 2014, the weight of the oceans has pushed the seafloor down by 2.1 millimeters.

    To better understand the sea floor’s shape, scientists must map the deepest parts of the ocean. While cutting-edge technologies are great for mapping shallow regions, they can’t provide an accurate image of the deepest regions. Understanding the deep sea’s structure is critical to our survival in the face of climate change and natural disasters.

    Rate of melt

    Researchers have calculated the rate at which glaciers are melting and hope their work will help in the better prediction of sea level rise and better water management. Although the exact causes of glacial melt are not clear, scientists believe that human emissions are contributing to the increase in temperatures. This has led to many studies that link rising temperatures to glacial melt.

    The scientists involved in the new study believe that the rate at which glaciers are melting has increased. They say that in recent years, glaciers have lost nearly the same volume of ice as the combined Greenland and Antarctica ice sheets. Recent satellite-based surveys have also found that glacier melt has increased since 2000, according to the study. Some regions, such as Alaska, Iceland, and the Alps, have experienced the greatest rates of melt, the researchers say.

    The researchers have been surprised by how rapidly the ice is melting. The amount of ice lost has increased from 760 billion tons in 1990 to more than 1.2 trillion tons in 2010. This equates to more than 28 trillion tons of melted ice in total. Scientists hope that continued satellite data collection will allow them to analyze the long-term trends.

    The melting of glaciers contributes to rising sea levels. Increasing sea levels increase coastal erosion and storm surge. Rising sea levels are worsened by the increasing temperatures of air and the ocean. A higher sea level means more severe storms and a higher risk of hurricanes and other natural disasters. The ice sheet on Greenland is the largest contributor to sea level rise, contributing up to 20% of the total increase in sea level.

    Impact on currents and climate

    One way that melting glaciers affect climate and currents is by altering ocean circulation. Melting ice sheets can increase the global sea level because they push down heavier salt water. This can also alter ocean currents, such as the THC (Thermohaline Circulation), which affects the climate and near regions.

    Because the oceans absorb 90 percent of the heat generated by human activity, the melting of glaciers in the oceans has a profound impact on oceanic circulation. Specifically, glacial thawing is responsible for about one third of the sea level rise. Scientists previously predicted that sea levels would rise by about thirteen inches, but new research has revised that prediction down to ten inches. This increase is still significant, but the melting of glaciers is only a small portion of the total expected rise by the end of the century.

    The melting of glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic continents are already contributing to the rise in sea levels. In addition, melting of the ice sheets in the Arctic has accelerated in the past decade. Meanwhile, air temperatures in the region are increasing at twice the global average. This has caused seven glaciers to steadily lose ice. Since the mid-twentieth century, the melting of Arctic glaciers has become the dominant source of sea-level rise globally.

    Melting glaciers in the Arctic affect ocean water patterns, which affect fish, salmon, and other creatures. The ocean water helps to sustain many species, and the melting of sea ice will have devastating impacts. This warming of ocean water will also affect weather systems all over the world.

    Maps of glacier thinning

    A new story map from the Disappearing Glaciers project highlights the effects of climate change on glaciers around the world. The map features glaciers in locations as diverse as the Athabasca Glacier in Canada and the Upsala Glacier in Argentina. The series, which is part of the Esri Global Footprint, digitizes the global retreat of glaciers. Countries in red are those that depend on the Earth’s ecosystems for their survival.

    Glaciers are large masses of ice that form on high mountains and in cold climates. Rapid changes in temperature cause ice to change state from solid to liquid. These maps help visualize how rapidly glaciers are melting. Using satellite data, scientists can see the extent of glaciers around the world.

    The changes in glacier mass are closely related to changes in precipitation and temperature. In the past century, a combination of these factors resulted in accelerated thinning in the US, Canada, and Alaska. Meanwhile, increased snowfall in Iceland has helped reduce the rate of glacier thinning.

    The glaciers in Greenland are vulnerable to the same processes that are responsible for melting in Antarctica, as scientists believe. They are trying to better understand the processes affecting Antarctica and Greenland.