How does sea level rise affect society?
The major physical impacts of a rise in sea level include erosion of beaches, inundation of deltas as well as flooding and loss of many marshes and wetlands. Increased salinity will likely become a problem in coastal aquifers and estuarine systems as a result of saltwater intrusion.
How does rising sea levels affect Tuvalu?
Tuvalu already feeling effects of sea level rises An analysis by the United Nations found as many as 350,000 people living in low-lying atolls in the South Pacific could eventually need rehousing overseas if sea levels render their current homes uninhabitable.
What are the causes and effects of rising sea levels?
The two major causes of global sea level rise are thermal expansion caused by warming of the ocean (since water expands as it warms) and increased melting of land-based ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets.
Why is Tuvalu so vulnerable to effects of climate change?
With its limited resource base, Tuvalu is extremely vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, variability and extreme weather events. Rising sea levels combined with extreme weather events is contributing to the inundation of low lying areas.
How is Tuvalu affected by climate change?
According to local climate data, Iona says the biggest impacts of climate change on Tuvalu have been rising air temperatures, more intense and frequent storm surges and decreasing rainfall, as well as the total inundation of low-lying coastal parts of Funafuti – including, sometimes, the country’s lifeline, its runway.
What are some concerns about rising sea levels?
Consequences. When sea levels rise as rapidly as they have been, even a small increase can have devastating effects on coastal habitats farther inland, it can cause destructive erosion, wetland flooding, aquifer and agricultural soil contamination with salt, and lost habitat for fish, birds, and plants.
What are the environmental impacts of sea level rise?
A rise in sea levels will also have an impact on coastal and shallow marine plants and animals will be affected, for example mangroves and coral reefs. In countries with large areas of coastal lowland, there will be a dual risk of river floods and coastal flooding, which will reduce the area for living and working.
Why is Tuvalu vulnerable to sea level rise?
Tuvalu could be one of the first nations to be significantly impacted by rising sea levels due to global climate change. Not only could parts of the island be flooded but the rising saltwater table could also destroy deep rooted food crops such as coconut, pulaka, and taro.