Sea Level On the Rise: Catastrophic Impact Unfolding Due to Climate Change
Sea Level On the Rise: Catastrophic Impact Unfolding Due to Climate Change
Scientists at the National Institute of Oceanography have found that the sea level is rising at 3 mm each year, double the rate of what it was 30 years ago. Researcher A. S. Unnikrishnan discussed this NIO finding at a celebration of World Environment Day in Panaji. Goa.
The senior researcher and scientist discussed how the rise in sea level was 1.8 around 3 decades ago and it has increased to 3 mm in recent times. While studies are still on to find the true reason behind the rise in sea level, it is an undisputed fact that global warming has some role to play in this. After all, scientists across the world have discovered how climate change has resulted from global warming and glaciers are melting leading to the rise in sea level. Of course, some scientists are contending that rise in sea level may be due to “natural variability”.
In fact, Unnikrishnan had discussed how thermal expansion and glacier melting has led to 75% of the ocean rise in the 1970s. If that is the case, why does the question over what is causing the rise in sea levels remain unsolved? A majority of scientists across the world are hypothesizing that it is mostly due to global warming and climate change anyways.
Unnikrishnan has discussed how the Indo-French Satellite SARAL-Altika is monitoring changes in glaciers leading to rise in sea levels and any rise in sea level overnight should “not be confused with a catastrophe”. But if this is not a catastrophe or a disaster or a natural phenomenon, fact is that its rise is going to have catastrophic implications. Loss of lives and livelihoods will be the result of any irresponsible view of the situation and a consequent rise in sea levels.
M Nagarajan, an expert from the Goa Institute of Management discussed how coastal economies would have to be extra careful about the rise in sea level. Any inundation will also impact the shipping, tourism and fishing industries apart from the disturbance of marine biodiversity. If scientists do not present the true gravity of the situation, it can be extremely misleading for policy makers and the average citizen.
Why should humans live in ignorance about the disastrous impact of their destructive habits? Undiminished use of fossil fuels to power our vehicles, homes, businesses and energy needs are the reason why this cycle has intensified in recent times. So interconnected is the ecology of the earth that a disturbance or natural disaster in one part can influence another.
Another point to consider is the current state of our natural resources and climate change is the result of indiscriminate use of fossil fuel by our generation as well as the ones preceding us. The effect is cumulative. More heartrending is the fact that we are ending chances of survival of future generations due to our present inactions. It will be a case of the sins of the present generation being a curse for future generations.
So, while World Environment Day is celebrated only once in a year, renewable energy and conservations should happen all year round. Rather than worrying about what is done,we should think about what can be done to solve the problem. A proactive approach will save lives, livelihoods, economies and industries. It will also save the earth.
