Ralph Lemuel Lopez Santos Writing 39C Price 10-18-2017 wo” Earth to Atlantis: Global Warming and The Rise of Sea Levels ° 7 G42 Global warming, the “slow apocalypse” to some, but a “hoax” to others. Despite the rs i & polarity on this topic, research efforts from people all over the world highlight the apocalyptic + future in coastal regions due to sea levels rising caused by global warming. As shown onthe ot — ; ee oe x Universi Dean Hardy and Bryan Nuse’s article be es, ares (on, Cotntey responsibility and risk”, “there is a strong relationship between global temperature and a 3 Sy global sea level.” (334). Moreover, their article talks about “ocean thermal expansion, melting 297€ ze = oa ae mountain glaciers and ice caps, and melting of the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets” (334) **@ & jy? being a result of warmer climates leading to the acceleration ofthe global sea level. QsaratThe py ote Aa pee ioe & oy (Peed —> Homes Brak /bviltigy > Chinato can be affected if sea levels continue to rise: Furthermore, Lindsey sums up the fate of Coastal” Agee ecosystems as global warming and the rise of the global sea level proceeds: “In the naturat WOrId, rising Sew fevel creates stress on-coastal ecosystems that provide recreation, protection from storms, and habitat for fish and-wildlife, including commercially valuable fisheries. As seas rise, saltwater is also intruding into freshwater aquifers, many of which sustain municipal and agricultural water supplies and natural ecosystems.” (Linsdsey) on Wo? * en ca Moreover, articles from major cities and states like San Francisco and Florida project — potential outcomes caused by sea level rise. Senior counsel Richard Jacobs and attorney Steven Hogan’s article “Will Our Future Drown? Paying for the Costs of Sea-Level Rise” describes the dilemma around the state of Florida as sea levels rise. The Florida authors talk about theSantos 6 dangerous assumption that “the coast will remain where it is” (52). As mentioned, Jacobs and Hogan highlight the economic hardships to deal with the problem. They stress the importance of collaboration of Florida as a state to aid coastal regions and not leaving these parts to “go [at] it alone” (53) although “addressing these issues will be expensive” (53). Coastal States like Florida is in jeopardy of losing a good portion of its land if the projections become a reality. On the other coast, scholars from Pennsylvania State University and Camegie Mellon University conducted research at the San Francisco Bay analyzing future flood risks as the sea levels rise, Put simply, the study discovered that sea-level rise “can increase the [San Francisco Bay] area risk of flooding and can increase the probability of flood occurrence.” (11). The rise in sea level does not play favorites on who it can affect and this study showed just that. The busy and diverse streets at the San Francisco Bay can have an up-close personal taste of the Pacific Ocean if the sea levels continue to go up. Knowing the high cost of living and population density in San Francisco, probable floods can cost the city millions, if not billions, of dollars in damages, and millions of people affected. Ultimately, the rise in sea levels is a serious issue for people in the United States and it will take a collective effort to slow down the sneaky beast. Finally, global warming and the rise of sea level is a topic that interests me due to its global scale, Regardless of the lack of movement at the political level on this issue, we continue to see countless contributions from citizens all over the world. Even though each of these contributions are final. the unity of citizens throughout the world has proved to be significant in the war against global warming. In a country as influential as the United States, our duty as j, burda Goberfuly citizens is to continue with these contributions while taking advantage of our democratic nation making government officials feel the sense of urgency to reverse the trend.Santos 7 In conclusion, the rise of sea levels and global warming has caught the attention of citizens as research on the issue continue to be published. Scholars continue to prove the severity of the issue, and how urgent the world needs to react. From severe flooding in coastal cities to islands drowning, this issue puts millions of lives in jeopardy. As for the United States, political and economic conflicts continue, and several projects about sea level rise and global warming remains shelved. Despite this, U.S. citizens across the nation provide contributions that has helped with global warming, We should continue to contribute and protect the only planet we + “Hb Why, sreto Whet tS curcent states? live in. Fitere svonvng ing te Reve