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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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10

Global Warming Will Buoy East Coast Sea Level

Altered Atlantic current means higher flood risk from Boston-DC

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(Newser) – The effect of climate change on Atlantic currents will boost the threat of flooding along the US East Coast more than glacial melting alone, a study predicts. New York, Boston, and Washington, DC, are expected to experience more shoreline encroachment and have higher risk of storm surges as changing currents push more water toward the eastern seaboard than toward Europe, Bloomberg reports.

To understand the circulation of the Atlantic, imagine stirring a bathtub full of hot and cold water: The surface will be higher in some places than in others. Melting glaciers add water that is less dense to the Atlantic's surface, which slows down the overall overturn. A study predicted up to 20 inches of sea level rise in New York.

An iceberg melts in Kulusuk Bay, Greenland, in this 2007 file photo. That water will raise sea levels in more ways than one: It also changes ocean circulation.
An iceberg melts in Kulusuk Bay, Greenland, in this 2007 file photo. That water will raise sea levels in more ways than one: It also changes ocean circulation.   (AP Photo)
Maps show selected areas of the United States that would be affected by rising sea level.
Maps show selected areas of the United States that would be affected by rising sea level.
Bill Farrell uses a broom to search a flooded street for a drainage outlet in Howard Beach in New York on Monday, April 16, 2007. Rising sea levels could make such storm surges more common.
Bill Farrell uses a broom to search a flooded street for a drainage outlet in Howard Beach in New York on Monday, April 16, 2007. Rising sea levels could make such storm surges more common.   (AP Photos/Bebeto Matthews)
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Climate change is real and could have serious consequences for New York if we don’t take action. We cannot wait until after our infrastructure has been compromised. - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg

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10 comments
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freethemall
Mar 16, 09 12:18 PM CDT
I am not a human caused global warming denier, but we hear only about the harm it will do. Is there no "up side" to it? Reply
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paul123
Mar 16, 09 2:46 PM CDT
well, here is a list of 600+ that are influenced by global warming, maybe you can pick something out of the list http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2007/11/everything_is_caused_by_global.html
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Snowleopard
Mar 16, 09 5:24 PM CDT
freethemall: totally valid question, and yes, there may be some upsides to global warming. It may extend the growing season in regions closer to the poles, and because of increased evaporation of ocean water, some regions may receive more rainfall that need it. As a whole though, it'll be a net negative, because weather systems are going to be more amplified (since heat drives weather systems) and more volatile.
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Derni
Mar 16, 09 2:29 PM CDT
The upside-yes-you will be flying into Logan Airoport on a plane that has no wheels but flotation devices to land! Reply
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riffran
Mar 16, 09 3:07 PM CDT
Unknown...at this time...but there is a potential for land that was once frozen to become arable farm land, to a small extent, and with more H2O in the atmosphere, there could be an increase in annual rainfall, but as to WHERE the increased rain may be is still unknown.....also, the rate at which it's changing will be slow enough for man to accomodate the needed changes....Sorry folks, no cryogenic reverse hurricanes, or massive the hundred foot tidal waves drowning New York ect.....lol...but it makes for good hollywood special effects Reply
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