I was really interested in how much global warming has an impact on coastal flooding and wanted to learn more, so I found an article from the New York Times called Seas Are Rising at Fastest Rate in Last 28 Centuries. Tidal flooding in American coastal communities is strongly linked to the consequence of green house gasses from human activity. These emissions are due largely to the impact of burning fossil fuels, and its causing our ocean to rise at a fast rate. Not only is New York or Louisiana in danger, but this article talks about how tidal flooding is making places like Miami Beach, Charleston, S.C.; and Norfolk, Va, miserable due to routine flooding. This article has a very powerful quote from scientist Benjamin H. Strauss that says “I think we need a new way to think about most coastal flooding, it’s not the tide. Its not the wind. Its us. That’s true for most of the coastal floods we now experience”. Studies also confirm previous forecasts that if emissions were to continue at a high rate, the ocean would rise as much as three or four feet by 2100. Experts say the situations would only grow worse in the 22nd century and likely for people to abandon many coastal cities.
I did some more research on our gas emissions, and found another article from the New York Times about president Obamas strategy to reduce America’s greenhouse gas emissions. New rules have been put in place stating that oil and gas companies are required to capture methane that escapes in the drilling process, from storage tanks and pipelines. I think both of these articles are interesting and have a powerful message. We need to save our coastal properties, and find a greener approach for our daily lives. If we continue to live how we are, and burning fossil fuels, millions of people will have to relocate from their coastal homes.
Gillis, J. (2016, February 22). Seas Are Rising at Fastest Rate in Last 28 Centuries. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/science/sea-level-rise-global-warming-climate-change.html
Semple, R. (2016, May 13). A Much-Needed Step on Methane Emissions. The New York Times. Retrieved May 19, 2016, from http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/a-much-needed-step-on-methane-emissions/
Nice post Kelly. I also saw this article when I was trying to come up with a topic for module 1. I agree that more needs to be done to help protect our coasts against flooding. I know my family as tried to take a “greener” approach in our lives. But it’s not easy and that is why most people don’t even bother trying to go green.
Hi Kelly,
Great post and article! I actually read this article as I was searching for the right article for my blog post this week. It is amazing that many of our large cities with huge populations will be affected the most as sea level rise continues. New York being the one I think I am most concerned with, partly because the city seems to continue to grow in both infrastructure and population, and I just cannot fathom trying to relocate the population and businesses of a city of that magnitude. I worry that the baby steps we are taking in restricting carbon emissions are not big enough to save us from the devastation that 100 years of rising sea levels may bring. I hope that new technology and a greater motivation to go green will occur and my children and grandchildren will get to enjoy the cities and coastal regions that I have enjoyed as a child and adult.
Best,
Melissa