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Eco-Logical Comment: Ocean levels rising at frightening rates

A column from Selkirk College Recreation, Fish and Wildlife students
arrowlakesreservoir-lily
Sunset at Arrow Lakes.

Did you know that the sea levels in the last century have risen at a rate faster than any previous century in the last 3000 years? Due to this, rising ocean levels have been an increasingly concerning topic for many coastal cities. In the interim, one can expect increased extreme weather events and impacted marine biodiversity.

Oceans are vital in regulating global climate temperatures and slowing climate change because they absorb most heat emitted from greenhouse gases. Since 1970, oceans have absorbed more than 93 per cent of excess heat. Without this ability, global temperatures would have risen higher than they already have. However, the distribution of heat in the ocean isn’t uniform. Most of the heat is concentrated around the Southern Hemisphere, melting the Antarctic ice shelves, which has been a significant contributor to rising sea levels.

Due to this issue, many people living along low elevation coastlines may soon lose their homes. And weather events such as hurricanes, storms, and flooding will become much more common along the coast, which poses a safety concern for many.

Long term solutions include protecting existing marine habitats and creating artificial surrogate habitats. Habitat loss, pollution, and over-exploitation of resources are driving population decline worldwide. Replacing lost or degraded natural habitat structures is one increasingly common conservation approach. One example was in southeast Australia, where illegal rock removals for landscaping were threatening a site containing animals with specific habitat requirements. A local organization cast 198 artificial rocks into the field to mitigate the loss of the nonrenewable habitat structure. This project was successful as 100 per cent of the rocks were colonized by various invertebrates, lizards, and a few endangered snake species after 40 weeks. An increase of 220 per cent of Velvet geckoes (Oedura lesuerii) was also noted around the sites with artificial rocks.

Other solutions are limiting greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the use of fossil fuels and increasing research and monitoring of rising sea levels to improve mitigation plans.

As a whole, rising sea levels are a part of the issue of climate change and rising temperatures. What we can do as individuals is to be more mindful of our activities to lessen environmental loss. The best action you can do in your household is to focus on how you use your energy, either by switching to renewable or more efficient energy sources such as solar panels and wind energy. We can also change to sustainable transportation and reduce greenhouse gases. Electric vehicles, public transport, and biking are examples of this. The overall goal is to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.

Rising sea levels and climate change may seem daunting, but it is possible to mitigate with consistent and efficient action. Starting with changes to our daily lives is a crucial first step to improving this issue. The advancing worry of flooded coastal homes and increased extreme weather should be our priority. However, rising sea levels provide an opportunity for communities and individuals to work together to tackle this issue.

Lily Butler is a second year Recreation, Fish and Wildlife student at Castlegar’s Selkirk College.