Storms, high tides, and ocean level may rose higher in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. These new findings contradict the previous studies where scientists placed the climate change impact at much lower levels. The climate change repercussions may hit harder that previously thought.
According to the California Ocean Protection Council, they are revising the previous predictions on an upward trend. As the Pacific Ocean's water level rises, the council agrees on upscale protection. This may particularly affect low-lying areas such as airports, roads, and communities.
California agrees that the ice sheets in Antarctica are melting too fast than previously thought. This incident can spur dramatic rise on ocean's water level since these sheets hold 90 percent of earth's ice. Deputy director Jenn Eckerle said that they are worried about its impact on California's 1,100 miles of coastline.
Meanwhile, Governor Jerry Brown takes on the planning and budgeting for climate change mitigation in California, the Time said. Come worst scenario, there is a possibility that the state may order occupants to abandon some affected establishments and buildings. California will also use the prediction as a guide in its zoning policy and in making local decisions to avert the climate change impact.
Even in the best case condition, the California council said that the San Francisco Bay area may suffer an increase of 1 to 2.4 feet rise in the ocean water level by the end of the century, according to ABC News. Again, this "best" scenario is only feasible if the world is going to exert a concerted effort to curb climate change. If not, California may suffer an even more destructive impact.
To recall, California is already experiencing the impact of climate change. While there is a lukewarm reception of the problem in the national government, California continually witnessed crumbling cliffs in oceanfront residential areas. Further, some residents were forced to abandon their houses as the water level continues to push forward inland.
