Visualisation and consequences of sea level rises

There are several, different guesses as to how extensive the sea level rises may become. Some have said that in the worst case, we may see rises of six metres or more. In current research, there is more or less agreement that we may expect sea level rises between one half and one full metre within the next century. On the internet, there are a number of websites that can visualise sea level rises so you can see which regions will be affected.

 

Activity

You will need: The pupils need computer access.
Let the pupils get familiar with the following two websites.

Sea Level Rise
Click here to open Sea Level Rise fra flood.firetree.net (opens a new window)
Here you can experiment with different changes in sea level all over the earth. Initially, the map displays a sea level rise of seven metres, but this may be changed – although only in intervals of one metre. You may zoom in and out, and although the map is not completely exact, it may be used to illustrate which regions of the world are most exposed.¨

 

 

Sea Level Rise Maps and GIS Data
Click here to open Sea Sea Level Rise Maps and GIS Data from CRESIS - Center for remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (opens a new window).

This covers the entire world. In turn, the maps are more detailed, and there is access to various formats – including a small film that can animate the sea level rises.

 

The class may now work independently with these tools by solving the following assignments:

Go to http://flood.firetree.net/

• Get familiar with the map functions – change continent, zoom in and out, and move around in the map section.
  
  
• Set Sea level rise to +1 m.
  
  
• Study your community.
  • Do you risk having problems?
  • How can the problems be solved?
    
    
• Find regions on different continents where there are impending problems because of sea level rises.
  
  
• Search for images on the internet.
  Search on exposed geographies in combination with various words such as coast, beach, house, and population.
  
  
• Based on pictures, what can you say about the possibilities of the country for solving rising sea level problems?
  
  
• Find more information about the country, as the case may be, and use it in your analysis of how to help the population – for instance on CIA’s World Factbook.
  Click here to open CIA's Fact book (opens a new window).
  
  
• Does the country need help from outside?
  
  
• Make a list of proposed solutions.

The result of global warming is more atmospheric energy being available to create hurricanes and greater risks of floods. First and foremost in the tropical and subtropical climate belts – in particular around Central and North America, at the Caribbean Ocean, and in Asia, both at the Indian Ocean and at the Pacific Ocean. If setting sea level rise to +4 m, you can see which regions will be exposed.

• Locate regions that are exposed to hurricanes and floods.
• Which countries will be hit the hardest?
   

 

Sea level rises already have had consequences

Here you continue to work with the consequences by looking at the places that are already hit. For this purpose, use the following website.

 

Global Warming: Early Warning Signs
Click here to open Global Warming: Early Warning Signs from Climatehotmap.org (opens a new window)
On Global Warming: Early Warning Signs, you get an overview of the many consequences of climate changes and see how there are signs already now that global warming has consequences. Sea level rises and floods have their own symbol on the map – including a description.

You can also read more about the different fingerprints under the matching menu item.

 

Activity

 

You will need:

Access to a computer with projector or data projector.
The pupils might have computer access.

 

Use the map from Global Warming: Early Warning Signs for a joint demonstration, or assign the different continents, and let the pupils study and present sea level rises within the assigned geography.

 

Let the pupils answer the following questions:

• Which places of the world are already now exposed to floods and sea level rises?
  
  
• Which countries’ populations are hit the hardest – and why?
  
  
• How can these populations be helped immediately?