The Falcon   |   Volume 83, Issue 53

Published 5/29/13   |   Log In

New predictions made on rising waters

President Obama urged to do more for environment

By CATHERINE LAGOA, Staff Reporter

Published: January 23, 2013

Last week, scientists issued a new warning about sea levels rising on the west coast, affecting California, Oregon and Washington.

According to an article in the Huffington Post, California’s coastline will increase by six inches in 2030, approximately a three-foot influx by 2100.

Kiro 7 reported that certain parts of the Seattle area will also be flooded, including sections of West Seattle, Interbay, Harbor Island and more.

So what exactly is happening?

National Geographic tells us: a phenomenon referred to as global warming.

Various gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat in a process that is known as “the greenhouse effect.”

As global temperatures rise, the oceans heat up and expand, causing ice caps and glaciers to melt and sea levels to rise.

“Earth has natural cycles, but over 100 years or so, it has greatly increased because of human use of carbon dioxide and fossil fuels,” oceanographer Dr. Matthew Alford said. “Global warming is a form of climate change; it’s just over a longer period of time.”

A lot of skeptics don’t believe in the eminent danger of climate change, but the evidence is becoming more apparent with the manifestation of disastrous weather.

Recent “super-storm” Sandy rocking the east coast this past fall was no random occurrence, but yet another warning sign.

The west coast won’t be the only area covered in water. It looks like virtually all of Florida’s Keys will be engulfed by 2060, based on a CBS news report released just last year.

Although scientists are still struggling to determine the true origin of climate change, human activity is certainly a contributor.

The rising water situation is putting cities and government officials alike in the deep end, as the pressure is on to deal with the issue.

In Seattle, recommendations by the Green Ribbon Commission have included ideas such as taxing carbon.

During President Obama’s first term, his administration implemented strict emissions plans such as regulated fuel or efficiency standards on vehicles.

In regards to a recent news from the Huffington Post, also just last week environmental organizations sent a letter to the president, urging him to do whatever it takes to put global warming at the forefront of the agenda.

“We will continue to build on this progress, and climate change will be a priority in his second term” said White House spokesperson Clark Stevens.

Significant change requires more participation from the American people. Whitehouse.gov is an official government website designed to provide citizens to access information and more.

To continue the conversation, you can visit the website and urge our president and congress to get moving.

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