Accelerating Sea Level Rise Threatens Coastal Cities like Incheon and Singapore

 

Accelerating Sea Level Rise Threatens Coastal Cities like Incheon and Singapore

Seoul, South Korea - The impact of global warming on polar ice caps is anticipated to raise global sea levels by more than 3 centimeters on average by the year 2050. The most significant sea level rise is expected to be experienced by major coastal cities, with Incheon and Singapore standing out prominently.

Key Points from the Study:

1. Melting Glaciers Contribution: Over the past three decades, the Nansen Ice Shelf near the Jangbogo Station in Antarctica has witnessed substantial melting, accounting for 0.1% of all Antarctic glaciers or approximately 2.7 trillion tons of ice. The melting of glaciers directly contributes to the rise in ocean levels.

2. Global Sea Level Rise Prediction: Analysis of changes in Antarctic and Greenland glacier volumes, observed via satellite, suggests that the global sea level will rise by an average of about 3.6 centimeters by 2050. This phenomenon is a direct consequence of ongoing climate change and global warming.

3. Impact on Coastal Cities: Among the world's major coastal cities, Incheon and Singapore, situated in mid-latitudes, are projected to experience a substantial increase in sea levels. The West Coast of Incheon, in particular, is vulnerable to land subsidence, making it more prone to the effects of rising sea levels.

4. Irreversible Glacier Melting: Scientific consensus affirms that once glaciers start melting, the process cannot be reversed. This ongoing trend raises concerns about the long-term impacts on coastal ecosystems, residential areas, industrial complexes, and critical infrastructure like power plants.

5. Future Projections for Incheon: If the current trajectory persists, the sea level along the west coast of Incheon is expected to rise by up to 2.4 meters by the year 2100. This could result in extensive damage to natural ecosystems, coastal areas, and human settlements.

6. Heightened Risk during Extreme Events: The rise in sea levels amplifies the risk associated with extreme events such as typhoons or tsunami flooding. The potential for more significant and destructive impacts during such events is a cause for concern, requiring comprehensive planning and adaptation measures.

7. Global Calls for Action: The study underscores the urgency of global efforts to reduce carbon emissions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Simultaneously, there is a growing demand for accelerated national measures to address the long-term threat of rising sea levels and protect vulnerable coastal regions.

Expert Opinion: "I think (the West Coast) has a lot of landfills and other characteristics that make it prone to land subsidence," states the Head of the Glacier Environment Research Division at the Polar Research Institute.

Conclusion: As coastal cities face the imminent threat of accelerating sea level rise, urgent and coordinated efforts at both global and national levels are deemed crucial to mitigate the potential devastation and protect vulnerable regions from the impacts of climate change.

1. #SeaLevelRise, #ClimateChangeImpact, #GlobalWarming, #Incheon, #Singapore