The major cause of the rise in sea levels is Climate change. As the earth gets warmer and heated up our seas will definitely continue to rise up and the end result is very catastrophic. Before we continue, lets breakdown some terms to make this article easy to comprehend.
What is Climate Change then?
According to the Australian Academy of Science, Climate change can be defined as the “change in the pattern of weather, and related changes in oceans, land surfaces and ice sheets, occurring over time scales of decades or longer “
So it is clear from the definition that Climate change affects related changes in oceans, land surfaces and ice sheets.
So the question is how does Climate Change Affect the Ocean?
One major contributor to climate change is known as greenhouse effect. As gases from the burning of fossil fuels (Carbon dioxide) accumulate in the atmosphere, they form a blanket like layer that traps heat and prevents these accumulated heat from escaping into space. This trapping of heat as a result of greenhouse gases is known as greenhouse effect and the result is known as global warming. I hope it’s clear now. Great.
So back to our question, how does this change in climate affect our ocean? As global warming occurs, the accumulated heat directly aids the rise in sea levels in two ways;
- The melting of polar ice, glaciers and ice sheets. When this occurs, additional water flows into the ocean thereby increasing its level. The rate of Ice-melting on the Antarctica as well as the poles is very alarming. Let us turn our attention to the Glacier National Park in Montana. This beautiful scenery which is the home of over hundreds of species of animals and numerous plants is gradually being wiped off. According to the U.S Geological Survey and Portland State University, the effects of global warming has significantly reduced the size of 39 different glaciers in the park. The stern fact is that, this is just one out of the numerous affected places, and it isn’t only happening in Montana but worldwide.
- Water expands with increasing temperature. Yeah it does, let me break it down. Do you know water experiences a slight anomaly in its expansion and contraction phase? When ice is heated, the molecules gain kinetic energy and expands till it melts at 0 degrees. As temperature increases between 0 degrees Celsius to 4 degrees Celsius, expansion halts. Water actually starts to expand beyond 4 degrees Celsius. Interesting right? Great. Now imagine the ocean expanding as a result of increase temperature, fearful indeed.
Now the Danger!!
Are you aware of the fact that several islands in the Pacific Ocean have been wiped off?
Are you aware of the fact that several ocean wild life are being threatened and dying each and every day?
Are you aware of the fact that several people have been rendered homeless because of rise in water levels?
Are you aware of the fact that several cities and beautiful sceneries are gradually phasing out?
In my next article I will be highlighting 10 places you need to visit before they disappear as a result of Climate Change.
All these are happening currently at an alarming rate and unless we act now the problem will continue to aggravate.
What can we do then to reverse this situation?
- Awareness creation on Climate Change and how it contributes to the rise in sea levels. Kindly share this article to help spread the message of rise in sea levels and create awareness. Let’s talk to people, sensitize our leaders to take action on climate change.
- Let’s prioritize renewable energy: Solar, geothermal, wind for a sustainable future
- Nuclear energy has a role to play also irrespective of its insecurities associated.
- Phasing out of fossil fuel: This is one major contributor to greenhouse gases.
- Switching to electric vehicles
- Countries adhering to their national determined contributions (NDCs) to helping achieve the Paris treaty.
- Answering specifically the questions of the Talanoa Call for Action which calls for the urgent and rapid mobilization of all societal actors to step up their efforts with the view to meeting the global climate goals agreed at the 23rd conference of parties in Paris.
I end here with a report from the Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which states that “if we can limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100, we’ll see slower sea-level rise and give vulnerable island nations and coastal communities more time to prepare and adapt”. We are all stakeholders and we affect what the future holds for posterity. I pledge to create awareness on Climate Change and help to build the sustainable energy industry. WHAT CAN YOU ALSO DO?
Mohammed Issaka
•5 years ago
Impressive write-up with a powerful message. Let us continue to do the public sensitization so people can be well informed about the dangers of global warming. Kudos to you Nana
Nanaadom Abayie Nyarko
•5 years ago
Thanks Isaka Mohammed. We need more people to help push the message of Climate change. We are far behind time to save the earth and unfortunately the sensitization hasn’t gone far. Stakeholders like you at the Energy commission can help in terms of policies to make the renewable energy industry more attractive.
Ebenezer Owusu-Kusi
•5 years ago
Concise and easy to understand. Good information and solid reason to be paying more attention to switching to renewable solutions to meeting our energy needs.
Nanaadom Abayie Nyarko
•5 years ago
Thanks Ebenezer Owusu-Kusi. You have a point, there is the need to pay attention to renewable energy. But does renewable energy have the capacity to form a base load for the high demanding global energy? Let’s get the discussion started.
Albert Asare
•5 years ago
Very educative and informative. Great piece, I guess we owe it to posterity to do our part in curbing this menace and I believe this article did not only tell us only what we may be doing wrong but also possible way out. Thumbs up
Nanaadom Abayie Nyarko
•5 years ago
Thanks Albert Asare. The possible way out has been clearly stated and you also have a role to play.
Kate Asamoah
•5 years ago
Great Piece?. Keep up the good work
Nanaadom Abayie Nyarko
•5 years ago
Thanks Kate Asamoah.
Baaba Ahema
•5 years ago
A very educative article right there…This sea-rise levels is actually not a Playboy. Lets come together and help reverse this situation.?
Nanaadom Abayie Nyarko
•5 years ago
Very True Baaba Ahema. but the question is how can we individuals play an active role in reversing the situation?
Kwame Akwaa Mensah Adjei
•5 years ago
Nice piece Nana. Anyways, what’s your view on Nuclear Energy concerning its capacity to fight climate change? As far as I know, It is the only known carbon-free scalable energy that’s available 24 hours a day.
Nanaadom Abayie Nyarko
•5 years ago
Thanks Kwame Akwaa Mensah Adjei. Your point on nuclear energy is valid. Nuclear energy is the only and most reliable carbon free energy we have in the world today. It can work perfectly as a base load. With countries such as China?? and India?? having a huge energy demand, the only carbon free energy that can constantly support such a demand would be preferably nuclear. Renewable energy can also support as an intermittent load. Nonetheless, there are some politics with nuclear energy in terms of its security. But I’m sure we would have some experts on the platform to give more insights into nuclear energy.
Priscilla Oforiwaa
•5 years ago
Nuclear Energy is having a huge capacity to fight climate change. Various technological advancements and innovation are being developed. Public concern with safety issue with reference to the three catastrophic accidents: three mile island, Chernobyl and the Fukushima Daiichi are been address with innovative technologies and designs such as HPR1000 reactors, PWR, CAP1400,AP1000 just to mention a few. Hence Nuclear Energy combined with Renewable sources is a sure way to save the Earth
Nanaadom Abayie Nyarko
•5 years ago
That’s a good point. Thanks Priscilla Oforiwaa
Katherine
•5 years ago
Great piece right there
Wish the world can get this knowledge, understand and focus on this to save the earth
Cus in years to come the earth won’t be a safe place to be….
Keep up the good work Nana
Bless up
Nanaadom Abayie Nyarko
•5 years ago
Thanks Katherine.
Joseph Kusi Yankyera
•5 years ago
With or without absolute commitments, climate change is a threat to socioeconomic security.
We need to handle it on all fours.
Great write-up, Engineer.
Nanaadom Abayie Nyarko
•5 years ago
Thanks Engineer.