Posted by Jamie in Climate Change, Green Articles | 0 Comments
California climate team urges immediate action to protect against rising sea levels
California Interagency Climate Action Team issued the first of 40 reports on effects and adaptation, including the things that residents should take note of when dealing with floods, erosion and other issues expected from sea levels rising.
Predictions have revealed that global warming will cause ocean levels to rise up to 55 inches this century. According to reports, it is highly recommended that there should be phased desertion of seaside areas and moving state infrastructure inland. Once it rises, it will affect thousands of properties and infrastructure. Other proposals involve demanding coastal structures for use in adapting to climate change, stopping federally subsidized insurance for properties that could be flooded, and limiting coastal development in areas affected by sea rise.
As per the 99-page state-commission report conducted by Oakland-based Pacific Institute, areas most likely to experience the sea rise and risk becoming affected are those found along the state’s 2,000-mile shoreline, specifically in San Mateo and Orange countries where more than 100,000 residents may suffer the effects. Schools, hospitals, roads, sewage and power plants may have to relocate, too.
Extensive research and studies are being done by scientists and economists to further understand the issue and find ways to deal with it accordingly. More reports will be released the following month by the Climate Action Team. A comprehensive copy of the report will be given to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Residential neighborhoods in Venice and Marina del Rey may also find themselves in a flood zone. Airports in Oakland and San Francisco, ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and swaths of Newport and Huntington Beach may also be one of the many targets of the sea level rise.
< ahref=”http://news.mongabay.com/2006/0814-ucsd.html”>It is not the first time that California will experience sea levels rise since it has already climbed an average of 8 inches in the past century. According to the first report, 260,000 California residents already live in flood zones although they seem to be protected by existing levees and sea walls. A rise of 55 inches would increase the population at rise of up to 480,000. Presently, 1,900 miles of roads and highways are at risk, and this can result to an estimated 3,500 miles sea level rise.
According to Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the state’s Air Resources Board, defending what is worth protecting is a rational move that can prevent the situation from getting worse.
Related Posts
