Can Humans Reverse Sea Level Rise?

Seas are rising, but is this something we can tackle or is it an inevitable natural process? The debate around sea level rise has heated up, with people questioning whether any changes observed on coastlines are due to continental shifts or other natural occurrences.

A Dangerous Misconception

There is a misconception that any significant coastline changes are caused by continental shifts. However, consider the case of Greenland, which separated from North America. This does not automatically mean that all observed changes are due to continental shifts. Instead, sea level rise is a complex issue that involves numerous natural factors.

Could Sea Level Rise Be Stopped?

Science suggests that the global sea level rise will eventually stabilize at 70 meters (230 feet) above today's levels, which would take approximately 2000 years to occur. In the meantime, it is estimated that sea levels will rise about 25.4 cm (10 inches) during your lifetime. However, humans can mitigate the damage by ceasing all new construction within 1 km (0.6 mile) of the seashore.

Understanding Sea Level Fluctuations

It is also important to understand that sea level rises and falls are natural occurrences, including the daily tidal fluctuations. If you took a photo of a coastal area every year for a thousand years, you would not observe any significant change due to these natural processes. The high and low water marks are recorded after the fact, and can be misleading.

Since the end of the last ice age, sea levels have been gradually rising, a phenomenon closely tied to the melting of northern ice caps. This increase is part of a broader pattern that extends to the formation of the Great Lakes in the United States. As long as we remain in the current interglacial era, sea levels are expected to continue rising, with some areas experiencing more erosion than others. However, some coastlines are also seen growing, complicating the issue even further.

A Look at Satellite Data

Satellite measurements are valuable in tracking sea level changes, but they cannot provide a complete picture. These measurements can determine the overall rise but not the exact characteristics of the water movement. This limitation poses challenges in understanding the nuanced changes that are occurring.

It is worth noting that humans can develop land in reclaimed areas. Much of Manhattan, for example, has been expanded beyond its original boundaries. This development does not mean that sea level rise is an insurmountable problem.

Historical Context and Future Outlook

Historical photographs of famous beaches from over a century ago provide reassurance that the current rate of sea level rise does not pose an immediate threat. It is possible that this interglacial period will last for a very long time, and if it does, we may eventually witness a measurable rise in sea levels. But this possibility is preferable to the specter of a new ice age.

Regardless of the long-term outcomes, the immediate focus should be on mitigation strategies, such as managing coastal construction and infrastructure to reduce the effects of rising seas.

In the face of the rising seas, it is crucial that we prioritize understanding and addressing the underlying natural processes at play while taking proactive measures to protect our coastal communities.

Keywords: sea level rise, interglacial period, coastal erosion