{"id":141,"date":"2023-10-12T10:35:47","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T17:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/?p=141"},"modified":"2024-01-11T14:11:15","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T21:11:15","slug":"sea-level-rise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/2023\/10\/12\/sea-level-rise\/","title":{"rendered":"Sea Level Rise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The current projection of the global mean sea level rise is an increase between 0.43m and 0.84m by 2100, with a continuous increase for centuries to come.<sup>1<strong> <\/strong><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:100;line-height:1.2\">[1] \u201cTechnical Summary \u2014 Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h4 id=\"at-1410\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">What are the contributing factors to sea level rise?<\/h4><div id=\"ac-1410\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>The sea levels of the world\u2019s oceans are currently on the rise due to the following contributing factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rising temperatures caused by carbon emissions leading to ocean thermal expansion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The melting of glaciers and ice caps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The melting of the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The impacts of sea level rise are not evenly spread and will vary across regions, particularly due to subsidence from human activity which will result in a higher sea level within these areas, thus increasing their vulnerability.<sup>1<\/sup><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4c87f77da45&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4c87f77da45\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"711\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/Sea-Level-Rise-Diagram-4-1024x711.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/Sea-Level-Rise-Diagram-4-1024x711.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/Sea-Level-Rise-Diagram-4-300x208.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/Sea-Level-Rise-Diagram-4-768x533.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/Sea-Level-Rise-Diagram-4-1536x1066.png 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/Sea-Level-Rise-Diagram-4-2048x1421.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 1. Changes associated with sea level rise. (Adapted from Figure TS.2, IPCC, https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/srocc\/chapter\/technical-summary\/)<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:100;line-height:0\">[1] \u201cSea-Level Rise from the Late 19th to the Early 21st Century | Surveys in Geophysics.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h4 id=\"at-1411\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">What are the impacts on ecosystems and people?<\/h4><div id=\"ac-1411\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>In coastal regions, the impacts of sea level rise include erosion, flooding, salinization, loss of habitat, and a decrease in habitat function and biodiversity. The carbon emissions causing ocean warming are also increasing acidification and oxygen loss, thereby impacting aquatic ecosystems. This has contributed to large-scale coral bleaching and reef degradation as well as a reduction in the biodiversity of intertidal zones, specifically rocky reefs, in which species are particularly sensitive to rising temperatures and acidification. In estuaries specifically, the increase in nutrients and organic matter have increased eutrophication and have led to the enlargement of hypoxic areas.<sup>1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along with the impacts to landscapes, the impacts extend to urban areas as the changes in temperature, oxygen levels and acidity have produced algal blooms and the occurrence of pathogens which impact food provisioning and human health. With sea level rise, there is also a global impact on food security, especially in low latitude, developing coastal communities who rely on seafood for nutrient requirements (Central and West Africa). Furthermore, there are cultural implications for many communities who have strong connections with the natural habitat of their regions and who come to rely on the harvesting of marine life for cultural and spiritual purposes, in addition to sustenance. Indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable as the reliance on the ocean for their livelihoods and culture is shifting and affecting their ability to pass on traditional knowledge or use their traditional harvesting techniques. Additionally, economies are affected through the impact on fisheries, marine tourism, and coastal buildings and infrastructure.<sup>2<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:100;line-height:1.1\">[1] \u201cChapter 5: Changing Ocean, Marine Ecosystems, and Dependent Communities \u2014 Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:100;line-height:1.1\">[2] \u201cChapter 5: Changing Ocean, Marine Ecosystems, and Dependent Communities \u2014 Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h4 id=\"at-1412\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">How can designers respond to the threat of rising sea levels through designs and interventions?<\/h4><div id=\"ac-1412\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>Designers may respond to rising sea levels through a few different strategies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first of which is to create <strong>hard protection against water inundation through flood barriers such as levees, dikes, seawalls, breakwaters, and jetties<\/strong>. These are often found in urban coastal areas but have drawbacks that include the destruction of intertidal habitat through processes such as coastal squeeze and technical limits that constrain their effectiveness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Designers may also modify buildings themselves through the <strong>elevation of structures and important utilities and through waterproofing.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A third strategy is through <strong>ecosystem-based adaptations, including both coral and wetland conservation.<\/strong> While wetland conservation and restoration preserve these essential intertidal habitats, these processes require a large portion of land, and are therefore not always feasible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, designers can use coastal retreat through <strong>planned relocation of buildings or communities<\/strong> in areas where sea level rise is an immediate threat.<sup>1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:100;line-height:1.2\">[1] \u201cTechnical Summary \u2014 Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h4 id=\"at-1413\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">Sources<\/h4><div id=\"ac-1413\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>\u201cChapter 5: Changing Ocean, Marine Ecosystems, and Dependent Communities \u2014 Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.\u201d https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/srocc\/chapter\/chapter-5\/.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSea-Level Rise from the Late 19th to the Early 21st Century | Surveys in Geophysics.\u201d  https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10712-011-9119-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTechnical Summary \u2014 Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.\u201d  https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/srocc\/chapter\/technical-summary\/.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h4 id=\"at-1414\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">Additional Resources<\/h4><div id=\"ac-1414\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p style=\"line-height:1.2\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h4 id=\"at-1415\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">Precedents<\/h4><div id=\"ac-1415\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"line-height:0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>South Bay Sponge: Field Operations<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Location: California, USA<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"446\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/02_FIELDOPERATIONS_EPA_AERIAL-1024x446.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/02_FIELDOPERATIONS_EPA_AERIAL-1024x446.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/02_FIELDOPERATIONS_EPA_AERIAL-300x131.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/02_FIELDOPERATIONS_EPA_AERIAL-768x335.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/02_FIELDOPERATIONS_EPA_AERIAL-1536x670.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/02_FIELDOPERATIONS_EPA_AERIAL-2048x893.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 2. South Bay Sponge (Santa Clara + San Mateo County) &#8211; Bay Area: Resilient by Design Challenge.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The South Bay Sponge is an innovative model for how to adapt our urban coastal areas in the face of climate change, as many cities around the world face unprecedented threats from rising sea levels with increased flooding and related storm damage to infrastructure and settlement.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This project can be viewed on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fieldoperations.net\/project-details\/project\/south-bay-sponge.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.fieldoperations.net\/project-details\/project\/south-bay-sponge.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Field Operations website<\/a> and through <a href=\"https:\/\/rebuildbydesign.org\/work\/projects\/south-bay-sponge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rebuild By Design<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"line-height:0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>Hafencity Hamburg: HafenCity Hamburg GmbH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Location: Hamburg, Germany<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a4c87f77e953&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a4c87f77e953\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/HafenCity-by-moka-studio-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/HafenCity-by-moka-studio-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/HafenCity-by-moka-studio-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/HafenCity-by-moka-studio-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/HafenCity-by-moka-studio-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/files\/2024\/01\/HafenCity-by-moka-studio.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Figure 3. Render of flood protection measures in Hafencity. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As an alternative to dikes HafenCity has fallen back on the settlement pattern traditional in the North Sea area, the \u201cWarft\u201d&#8230;The \u201cWarft\u201d model protects HafenCity\u2019s residents, workers and visitors even in the case of severe flooding. Even during the strong storm surges that occur about twice a year today, city life on the \u201cWarft\u201d can continue largely unaffected. The promenades are only flooded for a brief period.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This project can be viewed on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hafencity.com\/en\/urban-development\/infrastructure#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9CWarft%E2%80%9D%20model%20protects%20HafenCity's,flooded%20for%20a%20brief%20period.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">city&#8217;s website<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/urbangreenbluegrids.com\/projects\/hafencity-hamburg-germany\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The current projection of the global mean sea level rise is an increase between 0.43m and 0.84m by 2100, with a continuous increase for centuries to come.1 [1] \u201cTechnical Summary \u2014 Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96088,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-water-and-climate"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/96088"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":641,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141\/revisions\/641"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/waterinthelandscape\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}