The continuously changing weather conditions, melting glaciers and rising sea levels are all matters of concern for humanity. On Tuesday, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) published a news report on the rising sea levels. And this has some shocking news for people dwelling in coastal cities. Take a look at what it says and why the General Secretary of the United Nations has raised concerns about the people living near the river basin in the Himalayas.
Global Sea Level Rise & Its Implication
The news report titled ‘Global Sea Level Rise & Its Implication’ has revealed some horrifying facts regarding the rising sea levels. This report is based on the scientific study of climate change, melting glaciers and its impact on the people living in populated urban areas and small islands. According to the report, the glaciers, especially ice mass in Antarctica, are melting with uncertain speed, which is concerning. This meltdown will contribute to the rise in sea level. And cities like Bangkok, Dhaka, Jakarta, Lagos, Cairo, New York, Los Angeles, Copenhagen, Mumbai and Maputo will be affected.
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What Does The Report Say?
According to the report, sea level rise will primarily impact the coastal settlements and infrastructure, while submerging the low-lying coastal ecosystems. Furthermore, if urbanisation continues to increase in exposed areas, it will give rise to more challenges with constrained resources like water, energy, etc. Sudden climate calamities like droughts, famine and floods will give rise to the need for excess food. And this will increase pressure on the food industry for production and concern for food security in vulnerable areas. By the year 2050, the population in coastal areas will increase to nearly one billion, and these people will face climate compounded risks.
As for India, it is one of the most vulnerable countries as it has a seventy-five hundred kilometres long coastline that houses many coastal settlements. Mumbai, Chennai, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Visakhapatnam and Kochi are hotspots for threat regarding this sea-level rise. According to the report, this is a major social, economic and humanitarian challenge that we need to address.
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