The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains the causes of sea level rise as “...thermal expansion caused by warming of the ocean … and increased melting of land-based ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets” (“Is Sea Level Rising?”).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expands on this explanation, mentioning the reason behind the warming seas; carbon dioxide. Humans are the reason behind the carbon dioxide output, yet the oceans get the consequences. They absorb most of the CO2 in the atmosphere, which leads to increased temperatures and increased ocean acidity, both of which affect humans and wildlife alike (“Climate Impacts on Coastal Areas”). But it’s not always as simple as just melting ice and increased temperatures.
Many other factors contribute to sea level change over time, such as tectonic movement, circulation currents in the ocean like El Nino, (“Future Climate in the Pacific Northwest”), and human contributions such as dams and harbors which cause unnatural erosion issues. The numerous causes and effects make it hard to create an accurate estimate of the sort of future we can expect, here or elsewhere.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expands on this explanation, mentioning the reason behind the warming seas; carbon dioxide. Humans are the reason behind the carbon dioxide output, yet the oceans get the consequences. They absorb most of the CO2 in the atmosphere, which leads to increased temperatures and increased ocean acidity, both of which affect humans and wildlife alike (“Climate Impacts on Coastal Areas”). But it’s not always as simple as just melting ice and increased temperatures.
Many other factors contribute to sea level change over time, such as tectonic movement, circulation currents in the ocean like El Nino, (“Future Climate in the Pacific Northwest”), and human contributions such as dams and harbors which cause unnatural erosion issues. The numerous causes and effects make it hard to create an accurate estimate of the sort of future we can expect, here or elsewhere.