Spreading Awareness, Encouraging Action
Coastal Areas Face Risks Coastal communities in the United States and around the world will come under increased stress due to global warming. These
communities are vulnerable to widespread flooding from storm surges,
according to the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC).
Storms are going to be more intense and happen more frequently in some areas. However, a greater danger lies in the melting of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets. This melting could cause the oceans to rise roughly 22 feet in total. The timing of a catastrophe like this is difficult to predict. According to the IPCC, there is a greater than 90% certainty that humans are contributing to global warming. Developing countries will be affected the most because they lack the means to adapt quickly. Nevertheless, rich countries will face problems as well. In many areas snow accumulations will diminish, and water evaporation will increase, threatening rivers, lakes, and other water sources. This will have impacts on water quality, availability, and the production of hydroelectric power. Source: Coastal Areas Face Risk From Warming, by John Donnelly, The Boston Globe. 17 April 2007, Pg A8. EIGHT NORTHBROOK PARK - LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420 USA TELEPHONE (781) 863-1400 - info@gwenet.org - FACSIMILE (781) 863-1441 |
