Richard A. Lovett's article New York Seas to Rise Twice as Much as Rest of U.S. (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/03/090315-new-york-sea-level.html)elucidates the issue of rising sea levels, particularly highest on the Northeast coast. According to Lovett, researchers suspect that the forces that generate the North Atlantic's Gulf Stream ocean current will weaken in the coming decades. As a result of global warming, the sinking of the cold water that drives the Gulf Stream will reduce and the deep ocean will begin to warm in the North Atlantic. Due to changes in ocean circulation, the rapidity of sea level increase will raise contingencies of hurricane and winter storm damage. Researcher Jianjun Yin says, 'some parts of lower Manhattan are only 1.5 meters [5 feet] above sea level. . . twenty centimeters [8 inches] of extra rise would pose a threat to this region.' Areas like new York, Boston, and Washington D.C. will see a 14"-20" rise in sea level by the year 2100, while Miami and San Francisco are only expected to see half this increase. Along with these issues the Arctic Ocean seems as though it is rapidly melting. There is a possibility that the Arctic Ocean will completely un-thaw by September of the end of this century. Lovett sees this ia vital information because it helps researchers to shape new methods of preparation for potential damage due to rising sea levels.
- Do you think this will raise more of an eco-friendly sentiment along the U.S. coastlines?
- How do you think it will effect the people of the U.S. if the Arctic Ocean does in fact melt?
No comments:
Post a Comment