- stacybourne
- July 18, 2023
- 6:16 pm
- No Comments
The oceans have absorbed more than 90% of the heat from green house gases, but it is harming them;2021 set a new record for ocean warming. Ocean temperatures are rising and are expected to increase even more due to the long-term accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. One of the effects of climate change is rising sea levels. Since 1880, sea levels have risen an average of over 8 inches(23 cm), with about three inches coming in the past 25 years. In addition to rising sea levels, the oceans are becoming more acidic as they absorb more atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Hurricane impacts in the United States are getting worse due to climate change as they become more intense and slowly move. Scientists are currently still determining the frequency of hurricanes will change. Still, they are certain that hurricane intensity and severity will keep rising. Due to these trends, storms are becoming much more expensive in terms of material losses and human casualties. Communities inland and along the coast must become more resilient to avoid the worst effects in the future. The impacts of climate change on hurricanes will challenge coastal and inland communities to prepare for the worst-case scenario. These communities will become increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events and catastrophes without resilience.
Hurricane flooding, intensification, storm surge, and sea level rise may become more severe due to global warming. The fact that 39% of Americans live in coastal areas puts many of them in danger from rising sea levels and possibly more powerful hurricanes. According to the 2014 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, a warmer planet will cause thermal expansion of the seas and melting glaciers and ice sheets. This warming will result in a rise in sea level of between 29 and 82 centimeters (roughly one to three feet) by the end of the century (IPCC). According to recent studies, sea level rise is accelerating and is expected to rise by one foot by 2050. Storm surge flooding during hurricanes will become more destructive due to rising sea levels. Hurricanes are likely to become more intense and potentially more disastrous if the global climate continues to warm. Flooding will increase as a result of storm surges and heavy rain. Storms like Hurricane Harvey in 2017 may appear to be less of outliers and more of the new normal.
According to a Hurricane Katrina study, higher sea levels caused flood elevations between 15 and 60 percent higher than in 1900’s climate. According to a survey of Hurricane Sandy, rising sea levels increased the likelihood of flooding at the time by a threefold amount, and further sea level rise will increase the possibility of severe flooding by a fourfold amount in the future. This means that both hurricanes had increased damage due to higher sea levels, and this trend will continue to worsen over time. Unless action is taken to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and prepare coastal cities for the increasingly devastating effects of sea level rise, more hurricanes with higher levels of flooding will continue to cause widespread destruction and disruption.
The combination of sea level rise and hurricanes can have several significant impacts on ecosystems and communities, including:
Increase in Coastal Flooding
Sea level rise can lead to higher storm surges during hurricanes, which is the increase in water level caused by the strong winds and low atmospheric pressure associated with the storm. A higher storm surge can lead to more extensive flooding, damage to buildings and infrastructure, and impacts on ecosystems such as wetlands and marshes. For example, a study of Hurricane Sandy, which struck the east coast of the United States in 2012, found that when accounting for sea level rise, the coastal flooding and damage were much more severe than would have been experienced in past hurricanes.
Saltwater Intrusion
Sea level rise can also lead to increased saltwater intrusion into freshwater ecosystems, which can harm or kill the plants and animals that live there. Saltwater intrusion can severely impact the delicate balance of freshwater ecosystems. It can cause habitat loss, decrease biodiversity, reduce water availability for drinking and irrigation, alter the productivity of fish populations and can cause habitat loss, decrease biodiversity. This can also impact agricultural productivity and water supplies for communities.
Increase Erosion of Beach and Coastline
The combination of hurricane winds, storm surges, and rising sea levels can significantly erode beaches and coastal habitats, such as wetlands and mangroves. This can impact the natural habitats of marine and coastal animals and the livelihoods of coastal communities. These areas are often the first line of defence against future storms and flooding. Their destruction can leave coastal communities vulnerable to further destruction.
Changes in Storm Intensity
As the climate continues to warm, there is evidence that hurricanes may become more intense and more frequent. Hurricanes may also shift to more northerly latitudes as warm waters become more prevalent in those regions. Warmer temperatures could also mean longer and more severe hurricane seasons, increasing the chances of multiple storms hitting the same area and leading to further destruction.
Threats to Coastal Infrastructure
Coastal infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings, can be severely impacted by hurricanes, particularly when sea levels are rising. Higher water levels can result in greater damage to facilities and infrastructure, leading to higher repair costs and disruption to local economies.
Long-term Economics Impact
The economic impacts of hurricanes can be significant, particularly for communities that rely on tourism or other industries that are heavily affected by severe weather events. The long-term effects of hurricanes can be felt for years after the storm has passed. This can include a decrease in visitors to a region and disruption of business operations and supply chains. Damage to infrastructure can limit access to vital services and increase costs for recovery efforts.
Summary
The combination of sea level rise and hurricanes poses a significant threat to ecosystems and communities in coastal areas. Mitigating the impacts of both sea level rise and storms will require a combination of strategies, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow the rate of sea level rise, building resilient infrastructure, and protecting and restoring important coastal habitats. These strategies must be developed and implemented together to ensure effective mitigation of the combined impacts of sea level rise and hurricanes. A multi-pronged approach is needed to reduce the effects of sea level rise and storms.
