Frequently Asked Questions
What causes sea-level rise?
Sea-level rise is caused by the warming of the ocean and the melting of glaciers, both of which may result from a warmer climate. Warmer water expands and takes up more space. Sea-level changes measured at coastal tide gauge stations also include vertical movement of the land. In the CARA region, land is subsiding as a result of adjustments due to the disappearance of ice sheets after the most recent ice age.
Why should we care about rising sea levels in the CARA region?
The majority of the US population lives less than 100 miles from the coast. Some of our country’s biggest cities are in coastal regions – many in the CARA region (Boston, Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Richmond). Rising sea levels, coupled with a rapidly growing population in these areas means increased demands on our coastal areas and resources for recreational and economic uses.
Why are coastal areas ecologically important?
Coastal habitats provide a wide range of goods and services. Coastal wetlands provide us with flood control and water filtration. Barrier islands protect the coasts from storms. Coastal ecosystems supply us with ample fisheries for recreational and commercial use. The health of our coastal ecosystems is inexplicably linked to the health of other ecosystems as well. An ecologically healthy coastal area – biologically diverse and relatively free of pollution – not only provides a host of goods and services to our natural environment, but makes it a more attractive tourism destination. Coastal tourism is not just recreation; it is also an industry upon which many coastal communities depend economically.
Do higher sea levels make us more vulnerable to storms?
Yes. Even if the frequency and intensity of storms remain unchanged under our changing climate, higher sea levels will result in higher storm surge levels, making the same strength storm capable of doing more damage (MARA 2000).
How can small changes in sea level have relatively big impacts on our coasts?
Coastal areas are often at or below current sea level. Therefore, any increase in sea level – even a small one – has the potential to significantly alter the landscape. This problem is further exacerbated by upstream damming of rivers – causing some coastal areas to lose their potentials for accretion.