The Impact of Rising Sea Levels on the Environment
Rising Sea Levels: The Impact
Introduction
Gradual increase in temperature known as climate change is causing icebergs to melt and therefore, increasing sea levels, this is basic known fact but what might not be as clear is the effect of rising sea levels on the environment. Amongst the vast variety of issues to do with climate change, its impact on the ocean stood out for me. After I researched the impact of climate change on the ocean, I found that the topic was too broad; therefore I decided to find two sources on rising sea levels and its impact on the environment. My naivety and lack of knowledge on the impacts of rising sea levels such as erosion and provocation of storm surges (Miller et al. 2006) led me to assume the main impact of rising sea levels was on the lines of “we are all going to drown (in Australia)”, and because I can’t swim, this alone was the worst consequence amongst all climate change could bring. In my view because we live in a country bordered by the sea, understanding issued such as rising sea levels and its consequences is very important, because if we are aware of some of these consequences early on we can take action to lessen its negative impacts in the future.
Criteria for Credible Sources
The expertise of Geoscience Australia provides a solid base that gives great credit to the information provided by Geoscience Australia (2012). Geoscience Australia is a well known government agency that provides geoscientific information to enable the government to make decisions on things such as: use of resources and management of environment (Commonwealth of Australia, 2011). Nationwide decisions will have great impact on the world; therefore the Australian government will seek to base its decision on the most accurate scientific research. This means that scientific government agency of Australia is bound to provide accurate information based on scientific research; therefore it is safe to refer to the information provided by Geoscience
Introduction
Gradual increase in temperature known as climate change is causing icebergs to melt and therefore, increasing sea levels, this is basic known fact but what might not be as clear is the effect of rising sea levels on the environment. Amongst the vast variety of issues to do with climate change, its impact on the ocean stood out for me. After I researched the impact of climate change on the ocean, I found that the topic was too broad; therefore I decided to find two sources on rising sea levels and its impact on the environment. My naivety and lack of knowledge on the impacts of rising sea levels such as erosion and provocation of storm surges (Miller et al. 2006) led me to assume the main impact of rising sea levels was on the lines of “we are all going to drown (in Australia)”, and because I can’t swim, this alone was the worst consequence amongst all climate change could bring. In my view because we live in a country bordered by the sea, understanding issued such as rising sea levels and its consequences is very important, because if we are aware of some of these consequences early on we can take action to lessen its negative impacts in the future.
Criteria for Credible Sources
The expertise of Geoscience Australia provides a solid base that gives great credit to the information provided by Geoscience Australia (2012). Geoscience Australia is a well known government agency that provides geoscientific information to enable the government to make decisions on things such as: use of resources and management of environment (Commonwealth of Australia, 2011). Nationwide decisions will have great impact on the world; therefore the Australian government will seek to base its decision on the most accurate scientific research. This means that scientific government agency of Australia is bound to provide accurate information based on scientific research; therefore it is safe to refer to the information provided by Geoscience
References: APA Commonwealth of Australia. (2011). Our Role. Retrieved from http://www.ga.gov.au/about-us/our-role.html Elsvier. (2012). American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.ajpmonline.org/home Geoscience Australia. (2012). Sea level rise. Retrieved from http://www.ozcoasts.gov.au/indicators/sea_level_rise.jsp Hess, J.J., Malilay, J.N., Parkinson, A.J. (2008). Climate Change: The Importance of Place. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 35(5), 468-478. Miller, K.,Yates, D., Roesch, C., Stewart, D.J. (2006). Climate Change and Water Resources: A Primer for Municipal Water Providers. American Water Works Reasearch Foundation and The University Corporation of Atmospheric Research. Whiteney, T., Geoscience Asutralia. (2009). Australian bathymetry and topography grid, June 2009 Vancouver 1.Geoscience Australia. Sea level rise [Internet]. Canberra, ACT (Australia): Geoscience Australia; 2012 [cited 2012 Mar 16]. Available from: http://www.ozcoasts.gov.au/indicators/sea_level_rise.jsp 2.Hess JJ, Malilay JN, Parkinson AJ. Climate Change: The Importance of Place. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2008 Nov;35(5):468-478.