Can we be thankful for rising sea level?
Sea level rise is now unstoppable for a VERY long time. That presents a huge problem, quite unprecedented in human civilization. On this day of Thanksgiving in the US, I started wondering if there was reason to be thankful despite the enormous problems that rising seas will pose. I want to suggest that the answer is ‘Yes.’ My rationale:
- We need to operate within reality, meaning the natural world. Melting glaciers and ice sheets will raise sea level foot, by foot, moving shorelines — bringing us into alignment with the natural world in a way that nothing else will.
- Respecting forces of nature, while advancing our technologic enhancements is our work. Learning about the earth is essential. Rising sea level is a perfect reason to learn the facts of geologic history that foretell our future. That includes understanding the ice ages and changing sea level, but even more basic facts. For example, the vast majority of people incorrectly believe that melting icebergs and floating sea ice, add to sea level. Learning the facts about sea level and the shoreline is an opportunity to understand the realities of the world, which is necessary if we are to come up with solutions.
- Most natural forces are brutal and sudden, e.g. hurricane, tornado, earthquake, avalanche, volcanic eruption or tsunami. They bring devastation and death, typically with little or no warning. In contrast, relatively few will directly die from rising sea level. It may displace millions but it is slow enough that most will move out of harm’s way sooner or later.
- We have years, decades, and perhaps even generations to make this adjustment. That time is a blessing. While terribly disruptive, this could bring out the best in us. Our greatest strength is being adaptive and ingenious.
- Anticipating sustained higher sea level will be a challenge for architects, engineers, and planners. It will force new concepts of law, financing, taxation, governance, insurance, and public policy. Maps will be redrawn. Some nations will disappear. Even our basic accounting will have to find a way to gradually amortize most coastal assets and infrastructure. Each of those professions will need to rethink concepts and teachings. While that presents very real problems, it also presents a very exciting opportunity to rediscover, redefine, and find new approaches. What other single phenomenon could force such a renaissance.
I often conclude talks describing our perception of rising sea level as being like a glass half empty or half full. The point is that however problematic rising sea level is, there is another side. We must see that perspective in order to tackle the challenge ahead. It is essential if we are to lay the foundation for generations to come. Now is the time to begin planning communities for the future.
Rising sea level could be a very real force that will cause us to adapt, to learn, to change our perceptions of what is important, and to change how we set priorities and govern ourselves. If it does those things, we can be thankful. In fact, it is not a matter of “If.” A rising sea will do all of those things, perhaps sooner than we imagine. Counterintuitively — that is how I can see this challenge as an opportunity to be thankful.
Offered in the spirit to give thanks for what we have and to be mindful of those who are in need.