The causes of rising sea levels is in a state of continuous debate, but increasing scientific research suggests that human activity is at least partial, if not the predominate cause of the rapid rise in ocean levels worldwide. High concentrations of CO2 and other GHGs released into the atmosphere from human consumption, industrialization and manufacturing attribute to rising global temperatures, which is in turn absorbed by the sea, causing the warming and expansion of oceans. The detrimental effects of warming oceanic temperatures is multifaceted. It leads to ocean freshening as a result of melting glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic, which raises sea levels and it negatively impact on the survival of humans, flora, fauna and marine ecosystem. Furthermore, higher temperatures in global seas attribute to thermal expansion and eustatic rise, which is a key cause behind why the oceans are taking up more of the Earth’s surface. Thermal expansion also causes irreversible degradation of biodiversity and human habitat in coastal areas. Thus, this paper will explore how intensive human activity contributes to climate change which heats up sea temperatures and lead to ocean expansion and rising shore levels around the globe.
Table of Contents
1. EUSTATIC RISE
2. RISING GHG EMISSION AND HIGHER SEA LEVELS
3. THERMAL EXPANSION AND OCEAN FRESHENING
4. CONCLUSION
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper explores the causal link between intensive human activities, such as industrialization and fossil fuel consumption, and the resulting acceleration of global climate change, specifically focusing on rising sea temperatures, ocean expansion, and eustatic sea-level rise.
- The impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on global temperature increases.
- Mechanisms of ocean thermal expansion and their role in rising shore levels.
- The relationship between melting polar ice caps, ocean freshening, and sea-level rise.
- Evidence from general circulation models (GCMs) regarding ocean heat uptake.
- The consequences of climate change for marine ecosystems and coastal human habitats.
Excerpt from the Book
EUSTATIC RISE
Over 95 percent of the global scientific community confirms that climate change is largely attributed by increasing emissions of heat trapping GHGs from human activity, which causes eustatic rise in the oceans. In the past 100 years, tide gauge readings and satellite measurements show that the Global Mean Sea Level (GMSL) has gradually risen between 10 to 20 centimeters. Moreover, research indicates that eustatic levels worldwide have risen at an average rate of 3.5 millimeters per year, since the start of the 1990s. This means that the rate of rising ocean levels within the past 20 years is double the average speed of the preceding 80 years. According to an article in Energy and Environment, satellite altimetry measurements show that the GMSL has risen approximately 2cm per year between 1992 and 2000. Moreover, the mean rate rose to 3.2 cm per year in 2003, 5 cm per year in 2008 and 6 cm per year at the present day. There are severe consequences of climate change and rising eustatic levels.
Summary of Chapters
EUSTATIC RISE: This chapter establishes the historical context of sea-level rise, presenting data from tide gauges and satellites to illustrate the accelerating rate of ocean level increases over the last century.
RISING GHG EMISSION AND HIGHER SEA LEVELS: This section explores the correlation between atmospheric CO2 concentrations, fossil fuel consumption, and global climate shifts, highlighting how human activity intensifies the greenhouse effect.
THERMAL EXPANSION AND OCEAN FRESHENING: This chapter details the physical mechanisms of how oceans absorb heat, leading to water mass expansion and the influx of fresh water from melting glaciers, which further drives sea-level rise.
CONCLUSION: The final chapter synthesizes the evidence, emphasizing the scientific consensus that human-induced climate change is the primary driver of current environmental threats to marine ecosystems and coastal areas.
Keywords
Climate Change, Eustatic Rise, Global Mean Sea Level, Greenhouse Gases, Thermal Expansion, Ocean Freshening, Fossil Fuels, Carbon Dioxide, Industrialization, Marine Ecosystems, Glacial Recession, Global Warming, Heat Uptake, Coastal Habitats, Anthropogenic Impact
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper examines how human activities contribute to global warming and the subsequent rise in sea levels across the globe.
What are the central thematic areas discussed?
The central themes include the rise of greenhouse gas emissions, the physics of ocean thermal expansion, the melting of polar ice, and the resulting impacts on global sea levels.
What is the primary research question?
The primary objective is to investigate the extent to which intensive human activity functions as a cause for climate change-induced ocean expansion and rising shore levels.
Which scientific methods are utilized in this work?
The work utilizes existing scientific literature, tide gauge records, satellite altimetry measurements, and general circulation models (GCMs) to analyze climate trends.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers historical climate data, the mechanics of the greenhouse effect on sea temperature, the role of thermal expansion, and the impact of ocean freshening due to melting ice.
Which keywords characterize this research?
Key terms include Eustatic Rise, Greenhouse Gases, Thermal Expansion, Ocean Freshening, and Anthropogenic Climate Change.
How does the author explain the term "sea freshening"?
Sea freshening refers to the increase of water mass in the world's oceans caused by the influx of fresh water from melting glaciers and ice sheets into marine ecosystems.
What evidence is provided regarding the acceleration of sea-level rise?
The author presents satellite altimetry data showing that the rate of rising ocean levels in the past 20 years is double the average speed of the preceding 80 years.
- Quote paper
- Amor James (Author), 2011, Human Contribution to Rising Global Temperatures and Rising Sea Levels, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/268210
