March 16th, 2009
Bob the apple?
Looks like Mother Nature may be getting ready for a little brutal game of bob the apple. That would be the Big Apple. Researchers in others states say America’s largest metro area is in danger from global warming and rising sea levels.
The Florida State/Illinois/New Jersey research projections indicate that along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard the sea level rise will be even greater than the global mean as global warming progresses. The rising sea level will be caused by thermal expansion and the melting of ice sheets and glaciers on land.
How serious is the danger? Manhattan, for example, rises to about 265 feet above sea level. Much of the island is only a few feet above historic sea level. Higher sea levels + hurricane winds could = disaster as storm sewers back up and streets fill with salt water.
The researchers also found the warming of the Atlantic’s surface could disrupt the current currents that mix the waters of the ocean. That also could alter “normal” weather and climate patterns.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
Subscribe to GreenTech Pastures via Email alerts or RSS.
