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Oceans

Sea Level Rise

Act to save our homes before up to 13 million people are displaced this century.

Our Take

Sea levels are rising around the globe due to warming temperatures and glacier melt. TCI is tracking this on the community front through green action and finding ways to adapt to protect coastal communities and freshwater systems.

Educate Yourself

Quick Facts

1.5

1.5°C is the average global temperature tipping point for irreversible changes in our natural ecosystems like 10-30 inches of global sea level rise by 2100.[2]

66%

66% is the increased acceleration of sea level rise over the last five years compared to previous centuries.[3]

68.67

68.67 trillion is the amount of ice lost from 1992 to 2015 from the North and South Poles.[4]

680

680 million is the total number of people living less than 10 feet above sea level on coasts across the world[5]

What is happening?

Sea level rise measures the increasing height of ocean water across the globe caused by climate change. There are two primary causes of sea level rise:

1. Land-Based Ice Melt | During the warm season ice melts from glaciers and ice sheets in the polar regions. Water running off the land builds up in the ocean (adding more water to a cup that is already mostly full). The warm seasons are longer and warmer causing more land-based ice to melt, and to melt faster.

2. Warming Water Temperatures | As greenhouse gases increase in the atmosphere (think Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Nitrous Oxide), heat from UV radiation is trapped on Earth. The ocean acts like a big sponge to this heat absorbing most of it, but as the heat is absorbed, water molecules expand. This expansion increases the volume of water in the ocean and further raises global sea levels.

What are the effects?

As sea levels rise, coastal communities and freshwater systems are at risk. Beaches are washing away, marshes are moving inland, homes are crumbling into the sea, and flooding washes out our roads and sewage systems.

Infrastructure isn’t the only thing lost along the coast. Jobs, cultural heritage, and natural areas for wildlife are threatened by the shifting coastline as well. As seawater comes further inland, we also lose important sources of freshwater and drinking water. With water already being scarce globally, we need to protect our water sources as much as possible.

Models predict that 40% of the global population is directly threatened by sea level rise and its impacts.[1] These same models can be used to understand the factors leading to sea level rise and can spark important community conversations around how prepared our towns are and what local actions need to be taken. By acting now to slow down or stop the impacts of sea level rise, we do our part to #slowtherise and save coastal communities, protect our fisheries, and coastal wildlife.

How KCI is Slowing the Rise

Act Now to #slowtherise

Myself

Drive Smarter Not Longer

Transportation accounts for 15% of greenhouse gasses, but there are plenty of ways you can reduce your transportation emissions!

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My Family

Save Money & The Planet

Whether you’re shopping for new appliances, replacing bulbs, or rethinking your shower, there are plenty of ways to get more energy efficient.

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My Community

Natural Infrastructure & Living Shorelines

Never underestimate the power of talking to your community officials about ways they can protect the shoreline and prevent future damage!

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How You Can Help

The average car releases 5 tons of GHG each year! There are plenty of ways you can reduce your transportation emissions, though. Think about biking, walking, carpooling with friends and family, or taking public transportation! If you can’t avoid driving, think about the way you drive: avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration, use cruise control, remove extra weight, and keep your car in good running condition.

The NYT Guide To Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

How Your Family Can Help

Whether you’re shopping for new appliances, replacing light bulbs, or figuring out the best shower strategy, there are plenty of ways to work energy efficiency into your house. Look for products that are Energy Star rated, LED light bulbs, or change out your showerhead! Did you know a low-flow showerhead saves about 350 pounds of CO2 a year? And turning your water heater to 120℉ can save 550 pounds? That’s 900lbs of CO2 a year saved right there!

Columbia University’s 35 Easiest Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

How Your Community Can Help

Many coastal communities are looking for ways to protect their towns against higher flood levels and stronger tides. Creating natural infrastructure or barriers near/off shore can act as a buffer against high energy water and flooding. Planting mangroves, building oyster walls, supporting salt marsh functions, and creating living shorelines are all great ways to implement natural infrastructure.

What is a living shoreline?

Take it Further

Educate Us

Are you or your organization doing something to slow the rise of this cause that TCI should know about or feature? Let us know!

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