As the atmosphere warms, the surface layer of the ocean warms as well, expanding in volume and thus raising sea level. Warming will also melt much glacier ice, especially around Greenland, further swelling the sea. Sea levels worldwide rose 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 in) during the 20th century, and IPCC scientists predict a further rise of 9 to 88 cm (4 to 35 in) in the 21st century.
Sea-level changes will complicate life in many coastal regions. A 100-cm (40-in) rise could submerge 6 percent of The Netherlands, 17.5 percent of Bangladesh, and most or all of many islands. Erosion of cliffs, beaches, and dunes will increase. Storm surges, in which winds locally pile up water and raise the sea, will become more frequent and damaging. As the sea invades the mouths of rivers, flooding from runoff will also increase upstream. Wealthier countries will spend huge amounts of money to protect their shorelines, while poor countries may simply evacuate low-lying coastal regions.
Online Encyclopedia Blog For Kid's Research In Sciences, Health, Environment and Technology
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Pollution exists in many forms and affects many different aspects of Earth’s environment. Point-source pollution comes from specific, locali...
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Air Pollution, addition of harmful substances to the atmosphere resulting in damage to the environment, human health, and quality of life. O...
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Soil is a mixture of mineral, plant, and animal materials that forms during a long process that may take thousands of years. It is necessary...
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Water Pollution, contamination of streams, lakes, underground water, bays, or oceans by substances harmful to living things. Water is necess...
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Solid wastes are unwanted solid materials such as garbage, paper, plastics and other synthetic materials, metals, and wood. Billions of tons...