Study: Rising sea levels will hit hard in South Florida

Sun-Sentinel ^ | October 20, 2011 | David Fleshler

[ilovesarah2012]

A sea-level rise of just a few inches will bring flooding to South Florida cities, contaminate sources of drinking water and lead to sharp increases in utility bills over the next 20 or 30 years, according a study released Wednesday by Florida Atlantic University.

The study found that projected sea level increases of 3 to 6 inches by 2030, due to global warming, could overwhelm flood-control systems that in many areas are more than 50 years old. The authors provided a list of steps to be taken in the coming decades, from moving drinking-water wells inland to installing more pump stations, that could help the region cope with the higher water.

"Unprecedented sea level rise and other climate change impacts are likely to result in serious threats to the water supply, increased risks of flooding, hurricane damage, huge infrastructure investments and other consequences both known and unknown at this time," states the study, conducted by researchers at the university's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and College of Engineering and Computer Science.

[Ramius]

At the end of my backyard is saltwater. The water's at the same level it's been at for over 20 years... considering high and low tides. If it changes I'll let everyone know...

Yah. I live on saltwater in WA. The tide here moves in and out over 15 feet, twice a day. A change of a few centimeters over decades is lost in the noise.

[MHGinTN]

I know, I know, but have you lost your sense of humor man? This is a hugh and series issue. Malapropisms are running amok of late! ... well, at least from my old computer.

[MHGinTN]

And on a really serious note, that volcano in the Azores could be far more perilous to Floridians than any centimeter rise in sea levels. If that billions of cubic feet of mountain slides abruptly into the sea, there will just six hours max to evacuate to higher ground along the East coast of the US. The wave(s) would even potentially take out cities like Corpus Christi and the oil and gas storage facilities in Eastern Texas near the Gulf.

[smokingfrog]

I guess I must be getting tired.

Time for me to hit the sack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt0wCLKQsfI

[Tenacious 1]

550 square miles of death valley are below sea level, assume that it is an average of 200 feet below sea level (but it is not likely that much). The oceans are 139 million square miles so the ratio of area is over 250,000 to 1. That means the oceans would drop by <200 feet / 250,000 or less than 1/100 of an inch.

Palmer, You didn't catch the cynism of my suggesting how we might stave off the iminent flood comming that will destroy parts of the world due to AGW and the rising seal levels?

My bad. Sorry you went through all that effort and did the math. I don't think the construction project would be feasable anyway. I'll put a tag on it next time. Have a good weekend.

[Morpheus2009]

If I feel wonder about the amount of sea level rise coming, then I deny climate change...

If I feel wonder as to whether or not my place of residence will become a desert sometime between 2015 and 2100, I can’t find an agreement as to exactly when, I deny climate change...

Is there anything to wonder about where it’s simply common sense?!!!