Responses to Rising Sea Levels for Global Warming - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theResponses to Rising Sea Levels for Global Warming. Answer: Equivocal global warming has continued to cause widespread melting of polar ice and snow thereby increasing the global sea levels (Lister Muk-Pavic, 2015). For instance, the coastal region south of Vietnam is expected to rise by 30cm by the year 2050 (Reddy, 2017). Such further increase in sea level is anticipated to have far-reaching consequences on nations along coastal regions. As a result, countries have suggested, formulated and implemented policies to mitigate the effects of rising sea levels as follows. Policy Options First, Smajgl et al. argue that adaptation to sea level rise is necessary. Whereby, a climate change risk assessment is developed. Adaptation strategies can then be used as critical tools to address the sea-level rise problem (2015, p. 7-12). Subsequently, the Australian government together with countries to the South Pacific region have begun climate change risk and vulnerability assessments (Smajgl et al., 2015). The states have emulated options such as abandoning vulnerable areas (migration), setback provisions, and protection. Notably, each of these strategies requires a significant capital outlay. Construction of Dikes and Embankments Also, rising sea levels infiltrate the existing fresh groundwater aquifers and subsequently increase the salinity gradient. As a result, the Vietnamese government has invested in the large-scale construction of dikes and embankments along sluice gates to mitigate salinity intrusion into coastal agricultural areas. Alternatively, the government has introduced salinity-tolerant crops to alleviate the threat of low production (Reddy, 2017). Reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions GHC gas emissions result in the melting of the polar glacier as well as thermal expansion of sea and oceanic waters and, consequently, sea-level rise. In spite of implementation and enforcement of policies in existence, the global temperature is expected to rise by 30C by the year 2100 (Weissenberger Chouinard, 2015). Therefore, a reduction in harmful emissions that could rescue low-lying islands from being submerged is not possible. However, a significant decrease in Greenhouse gas emissions could substantially delay the potential sinking, and consequently, reducing the burden Island states have to encounter while accommodating mass migration (Reddy, 2017). Migration Environmental volatility characterized by floods, changing coastlines and soil erosion as a result of sea-level rise creates a necessity for people to migrate. For instance, approximately 2600 people relocated from Papua New Guineas Carteret to Bougainville due to inundation that resulted from high sea levels. Simultaneously, frameworks regarding housing, work, services, and citizenship have been developed to accommodate migrations. Notably, continued sea level rise could soon lead to international and cross-border migrations (Weissenberger Chouinard, 2015). Compensation and Relief Aid Despite the fact that vulnerable Island nations contribute negligibly to global warming, they are the worst recipients of the threats of sea level rise. They are burdened with expenses to replace wetlands or to reinforce seawalls. Besides, such nations suffer from overpopulation, unemployment, inadequate resources and low Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For example, Tuvalu entirely depends on foreign aid contributions from the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan (Weissenberger Chouinard, 2015). It is a moral obligation of the high GHG emitting nations, and the international community at large to help vulnerable countries survive. Consequently, there is a possibility of establishing a global climate change commission. The commission will be mandated to compensate such nations from a pool of funds (Lister Muk-Pavic, 2015). References Lister,N., Muk-Pavic,E. (2015). Sustainable artificial island concept for the Republic of Kiribati.Ocean Engineering,98, 78-87. doi:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2015.01.013 Reddy,P.M. (2017). Sinking Small Island Nations: Calls for a Lifeboat.SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.3030203 Smajgl,A., Toan,T.Q., Nhan,D.K., Ward,J., Trung,N.H., Tri,L.Q., Vu,P.T. (2015). Responding to rising sea levels in the Mekong Delta.Nature Climate Change,5(2), 167-174. doi:10.1038/nclimate2469 Weissenberger,S., Chouinard,O. (2015). The Vulnerability of Coastal Zones Towards Climate Change and Sea Level Rise.SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science, 7-31. doi:10.1007/978-94-017-9888-4_2