Florida Faces Up to 6 Feet Sea Level Rise by 2100: US Government Says

Sea level rise is one of the major repercussions of climate change and global warming.

In recent years, scientists have warned the global water levels of the world's oceans have increased due to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets as global temperatures rise.

Greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel burning are the leading human-induced factors that intensify the greenhouse effect or planetary warming.

Now, Florida is facing such threat in a localized level, after the US government said that the Sunshine State could experience sea level rise by up to 6 feet in 2100.

The prediction is based on the current rate of high emissions of greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere.

The said prediction is only the worst-case scenario so far for Florida.

A large swath of residential and commercial properties in Florida are situated near the coastline.

In addition to storm surges during hurricanes, further coastal flooding or coastal erosion could become a reality for the state amid the climate crisis-driven threat.

The situation can be theoretically averted if emissions significantly decrease or stopped.

Florida Sea Level Rise

(Photo : Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
KEY LARGO, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 22: Mangrove trees are surrounded by ocean water on October 22, 2019 in Key Largo, Florida. As King tide level water floods residential streets it is estimated that the Florida Keys will likely see increased flooding as sea levels continue to rise.

William Sweet, oceanographer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), told Newsweek that by 2050, Florida sea levels, lie most parts of the US, are heading towards a 1-foot rise on average.

The NOAA oceanographer emphasizes that by 2100, Florida could see a rise of at least 2 feet due to current emissions.

However, up to 6 feet of sea level rise cannot be ruled out under high emissions or heating scenario.

Outside China, Florida is the state or province in the work that is most at risk for economic damage driven by climate change, according to a report by climate risk specialists from XDI on February 20, as cited by Newsweek.

Also Read: Rising Sea Levels Put 36 Cities at Risk of Submerging Underwater, Affecting 226 Million People

Climate Change and Ice Melt

The main cause of global sea level rise is ice melt, as frozen water encapsulated in massive icebergs, glaciers, and other icy structures are released into the ocean.

For years, climate scientists have observed that there has been significant ice loss in the Arctic and Antarctica.

Ice melting has been attributed by the scientists with the climate crisis.

Since climate change causes temperature to rise, the land and ocean, being darker in color, absorb more incoming solar radiation and then emit heat into the atmosphere.

In turn, this cause further global warming. In general, melting ice causes more planetary warming and accelerates ice melt, according to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).

The UCAR asserts that global warming is causing soils in the polar regions frozen for approximately 40,000 years to thaw.

The process of melting itself releases trapped carbon in the soils and goes into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and methane, which are the main greenhouse gases include in climate mitigation efforts under the Paris Agreement.

Related Article: Coastal Cities in Florida Expect More Flooding in Next 10 Years Due to Rising Sea Level