Overview
This lecture explores the impacts of polar ice melt on sea level rise, the uneven effects around the globe, potential future living locations in a warming world, and adaptation strategies.
Melting Ice Sheets and Sea Level Rise
- Greenland and Antarctica ice sheets are rapidly melting, contributing to global sea level rise.
- Regardless of emission scenarios, Greenland will cause at least 27 cm of sea level rise.
- Complete melting of all ice sheets would result in about 70 meters of sea level rise over ~1,000 years.
- Thermal expansion (water warming and expanding) is currently a major driver of sea level rise.
Uneven Sea Level Rise
- Sea levels do not rise equally due to gravity, ocean currents, and winds.
- Melting Greenland ice affects sea levels more in Asia, while Antarctic melt impacts places like Iceland and Greenland.
- Local effects like storm surges and regional variations must be considered.
Potential Adaptation and Relocation Options
- Some threatened nations are building artificial islands, e.g., Santa Cruz del Islote in Colombia.
- Artificial islands face challenges with water, electricity, and climate change (warming seas, acidic oceans).
- High-altitude regions like Ladakh, India, may temporarily benefit from warming but face new problems like glacier loss and water scarcity.
- Canada and northern areas may offer more stable futures, but increased pests and novel climates could bring new difficulties.
Tools and Planning for Climate Adaptation
- Climate mapping tools predict how cities' climates will shift by 2080, showing northward shifts and the need for infrastructure adaptation.
- Novel climates may appear where future conditions have no current analog on Earth.
- City planning must anticipate warmer, wetter, and more extreme weather events.
Local Impacts in Greenland
- Melting ice exposes more land in Greenland, creating potential for development but also drought and logistical challenges for farming.
- Melting ice disrupts traditional transportation and makes winters less predictable.
Importance of Reducing Emissions
- Lowering greenhouse gas emissions can significantly reduce the extent of sea level rise.
- Every half-meter of avoided rise means protection for many homes and lives.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Ice Sheet — Large mass of glacial ice covering a significant area of land.
- Sea Level Rise — The increase in global average sea level due to melting ice and thermal expansion.
- Thermal Expansion — Expansion of water as it warms, contributing to sea level rise.
- Post-glacial Rebound — The rise of land masses after the removal of the weight of ice sheets.
- Novel Climate — Future climate conditions that have no current equivalent on Earth.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Explore how your local area is projected to change using climate mapping tools.
- Stay informed about adaptation strategies and consider the implications for infrastructure.
- Monitor policy developments on greenhouse gas reduction.
- Review previous CrowdScience episodes on ice melt for deeper understanding.