R.5. Rise in Sea Levels
As the Earth’s temperature increases, so does the temperature of the ocean water. When water gets warmer, it expands, taking up more space. This expansion is known as thermal expansion, and it contributes to the overall rise in sea levels.
[Image: Sea level rise over the years]
Large sheets of ice, such as those in Antarctica and Greenland, are melting due to the warmer temperatures. As these ice sheets melt, the resulting water flows into the oceans, adding to the volume of water and causing sea levels to rise.
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1. Observations Since the 1990s |
Satellite Monitoring: Satellites have been observing and measuring sea levels since the early 1990s. The data collected from these satellites show a consistent and notable increase in sea levels since 1993. This rise is occurring at a rate per year that is significantly higher than the average observed over the previous fifty years. |
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2. IPCC’s Prediction |
Accelerated Ice Sheet Disintegration: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that if the Earth’s average temperature increases by 3-4 degrees Celsius, the process of ice sheet disintegration could speed up. This means that the large ice sheets could break apart more rapidly, leading to a substantial rise in sea levels. |
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3. Consequences for People |
If such a rise occurs, it could result in around 330 million people being displaced from their homes either permanently or temporarily due to flooding in low-lying areas. |
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4. Warming Seas and Storms |
Impact on Tropical Storms: The warming of the seas also has consequences for weather patterns. As sea temperatures rise, they can fuel the development of more intense tropical storms. This means that storms like hurricanes and typhoons can become stronger and more dangerous, posing increased risks to coastal regions. |
Observations by satellite over the past years