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Deepseawaters
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to Sea-level Rise? Climate Changes
Sensitive to Sea-level Rise? Climate
Changes is to SpeedUp the Sea-Level
 The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in association with
NOAA and U.S. Geological Survey, recently released a report
that argued the impacts of sea-level rise on the coast, coastal
communities, and the habitats and species that depend on coastal
areas, with a focus on the eight coastal states from New York
to North Carolina.
Sea level is rising, and there is indication that the rate
of rise is accelerating. Climate varies is likely to speed
up the rate of sea-level rise during the next century. From
improved flooding of low-lying areas, to greater impacts from
coastal storms, grind down shorelines, and the translation
of wetlands to open water, growing seas can have severe impacts
on coastal communities and habitats.
The report, Coastal Sensitivity to Sea-level Rise: A Focus
on the Mid-Atlantic Region, uses controlled writing and policy
documents to illustrate potential changes to barrier islands,
wetlands, other coastal habitat, and vulnerable species; societal
impacts and implications of sea-level rise; decisions that
may be sensitive to sea-level rise; opportunities for adaptation;
and institutional barriers to adaptation. It also outlines
current coastal policy in the mid-Atlantic region and describes
the implications for the other regions of the United States.
The report also discusses opportunities for natural and social
science research to enhance understanding of potential impacts
of sea-level rise and society’s ability to respond.
Key findings from Coastal Sensitivity to Sea-level Rise include
the fact that rising water levels are already negatively impacting
coastal areas and the effects of sea-level rise will be increased
if the rate of rise accelerates in the future, as it is likely
to do. The authors also report that most coastal wetlands
in the mid-Atlantic would be lost if sea level rises one meter
in the next century. Even a 50-centimeter rise would threaten
most wetlands along the Eastern Shore of Chesapeake Bay.
Not all of the news, however, is dim. The report indicates
that some governmental and nongovernmental organizations are
already starting to prepare for sea-level rise and that preparing
now can reduce the eventual environmental and economic impacts
of sea-level rise. Possible responses to sea-level rise cited
in the report include seawalls, bulkheads, and other shoreline
armoring; elevating buildings and land surfaces (including
beaches and wetlands); and allowing shorelines to change and
moving structures out of harm’s way.
 Stephen
Gill, Senior Scientist with the NOS Center for Operational
Oceanographic Products and Services and the NOAA lead author
for the report notes that “some of the most important
findings are the assessment of gaps, or deficiencies in information,
data, and tools needed to inform decision making at all scales
of interest to all stakeholders. For instance, in many areas
the fundamental elevation data are not at the resolution and
accuracy required for detailed assessments of impacts of sea-level
rise. The range of physical and biological processes associated
with coastal change is poorly understood at the time and space
scales required for decision making. However, the information
in this report gives us a better understanding of where we
are and where we need to be and that information in itself
acts as a major stepping stone for making improvements to
future reports during the new administration."
Coastal Sensitivity to Sea-level Rise is one of 21 climate
change synthesis and assessment products being developed by
the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, of which NOAA is
a partner. The Climate Change Science Program was established
in 2002 to provide the United States with science-based knowledge
to manage the risks and opportunities of change in the climate
and related environmental systems. The program is responsible
for coordinating and integrating the research of 13 federal
agencies on climate and global change.
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