How Would Britain Be Affected by Rising Sea Levels?

Climate change, despite all those who still attempt to deny it, is a very real concern. Several studies over the last few years have made for some uncomfortable reading, predicting catastrophic consequences if we don’t take steps to curb the rising temperature of our planet.

Back in 2013, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research alleged that global temperature increase could raise sea levels significantly, predicting a 2.3m rise in our oceanic waters for every Celsius of temperature increase. EU-funded research by scientific think-tank Ice2Sea has posited that the current rate of carbon emission could raise global temperatures by a whopping 3.5°C, which would clearly have dire consequences for the human race.

Meanwhile this year, research by a trio of scientists from the University of California in San Diego has claimed that the rate of sea level increase due to the melting of the polar ice caps is actually greater than previously thought.  The article 18 Years of Satellite Data Proves Antarctica is Melting Faster than we Think looks in more detail at the devastating conclusion that the study produced, as well as exactly how this conclusion was arrived at.

How Would Britain Fare?

As if such global news weren’t depressing enough, it seems that Britain would specifically fare badly in the event of rising sea levels. Back in 2012, investigations led by PhD student Matt Wadey from the University of Southampton forecasted the need to upgrade or even entirely rebuild flood defences in the face of significant danger.

In the ensuing years, we have seen evidence that Wadey’s concern was warranted. Early in 2014, train tracks in the South of England were literally washed away by heavy flooding, leaving sections of the track suspended in mid-air and thousands of homes without power. An extra £100m was pledged by Prime Minister David Cameron to repairing and upgrading the nation’s flood works, but fresh concerns suggest that such investment may not be enough.

Over recent decades, the landmass of Great Britain has been slowly tilting. The southern tip has imperceptibly become more submerged whilst northern regions have become slightly elevated. What these means is that millions of people may become at risk to being submerged by rising waters, leading to mass displacement and poverty.

Of course, this doesn’t even take into account the huge effect that such flooding would have on agriculture, transport and energy production. Effectively, the whole south of England (perhaps even as far as London) could become under threat from being drowned by the melting of the polar icecaps… if we don’t do something about it.

Sink or Swim

In order to avoid such a nightmare scenario, the UK must curb its environmentally-damaging practices. Of course, the biggest steps will be taken on a governmental level, who must seek cleaner and greener energy sources. Indeed, sanctions imposed by the EU are aimed at achieving exactly this (discussed further in the article How Will the EU reduce carbon emissions?), but only time will tell if the 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 will be achieved. We must hope so, or Britain is in danger of sinking without a trace.