Abstract.
The global sea levels have been on a slow but steady rise over the last two centuries. Global temperatures have been blamed for the rise in global sea levels with research showing that heat expands the volume of water in the sea and melts ice glaciers. The rise in sea level, if not curbed, could have diverse effects especially in regions with a unique topography such as Australia. Encroachment of dry land by salty sea water could cause pollution to seep into fresh water sources as well as render previously lucrative agricultural lands as barren. The issue of the steady rise in global sea levels has been discussed in depth with it serving a one of the major agendas in most environmental meetings and many proposals have been pot forward to curb or reverse this effect for example the resolution to cut down on carbon emissions.
THE RISE IN SEA LEVELS IN AUSTRALIA
Australia, though the smallest of all the continents has perhaps the largest and most adverse effects on the global sea levels and their rise and fall (Bosworth, 2004). Currentlyit’s an accepted fact that global levels of the sea have been on the rise over the previous two centuries. Preceded by a dormant period with little notable change, the global sea level adopted an upward trend at the onset of the 19thcentury, a trend that has vehemently persisted all through the entire 20thcentury. The rate at which the global sea levels rose in the 20th century was considerably higher than the rate at which the global sea levels raised over two millennia that preceded the 18th century.
The rise in the sea level of Australia has been proven to be regionally variable and to a notable extent less than the average rate of the sea level globally. The amount of snow cover in Australia and the duration in which the snow cover exists have reduced with high levels of significance at many sites which are part of the snowy mountains (Bosworth, 2004). In the time period between the year’s 2010 and 2011 Australia proved to be a key player and perhaps the main stakeholder as far as global sea levels isconcerned. In this time period the continent o Australia underwent extensive flooding which surprisingly led to a fall in the global sea levels. The fall in global sea levels reached as high as seven milliliters. The outback region of Australia is its most mountainous and driest region. It lies in the eastern region of the continent and it is lacking in rivers thus resulting in a drier environment in Australia’s western region. As a result of this unique landscape most of the heavy rainfall that pounded the greater part of Australia in the time period between 2010 and 2011 remained contained within the continent, completely cut off from surrounding oceans thus the global sea levels, for a given period of time, took a downward plunge. Only found in Australia is this unique combination of topography and atmospheric conditions that would have such immense reverse effects on the global sea level trends.
The rise in global sea levels, if not curbed will have adverse and disastrous effects on the continent of Australia. Encroachment of the mainland by the salty sea water will cause great damage key among which includes destructive erosion. As earlier noted the eastern region of Australia lacks significant topographical variables to ensure that water runs off to the sea. The main influence factor as far as the global sea level is concerned is temperature. As temperature increases water also gets warmer and thus ends up taking more space. The increase in volume of a single drop of water is most obviously no cause of alarm but the accumulated increase in volume of the entire ocean bode of the planet is very high and certainly a cause for alarm. The rise in global temperatures also causes glaciers to melt thus adding substance to the sea leading to a rise in their levels at an alarming rate. Rise in sea levels would have a devastating effect especially in this region since its topography would act as a bowl, for lack of a better term thus making large scale flooding an ever imminent threat that constantly accompanies the rise in global sea levels (H.M, 2008). Large scale flooding would also cause loss of Australia’s rich coastal flora which creates a scenic beauty, a thing known to attract a large number of tourists. The increase in global sea levels could spell doom and a great loss of dividends by residents of Australia’s coastal region who make a living, and an ample one at that, out of the tourism and its affiliated activities taking place at the coast. The rise in global sea levels would completely nullify any tourism related activities in the Australian coast and a lot of Australians would find themselves out of a job.
With a considerably large portion of its population choosing to reside in the coastal region, rise in global sea levels could spell doom for these coastal dwellers. A rise in sea levels would inevitably force people residing near the coast to seek alternative settlement further mainland, a temporary reprieve at that since the global sea levels keep on rising higher and ever so higher. This forceful relocation of population would have diverse negative effects on the continent of Australia not just economically but also socially. Forceful eviction would mean abandonment of previously owned land, a major economic setback for coastal land owners. Thiswould negatively affect the Australian economy as previously lusted property would be lost and rendered inadmissible by the state. There would be numerous loss of investment in the coastal region that would mean a nose dive for the Australian stock market that could prove very difficult verging on impossible to recover from.
Agriculture is a key economic activity appearing prominently as a key source of revenue in Australia. Rise in the global sea levels would mean salty ocean water rises into the mainland. Additional of this salty eater aspect to the arable Australian land would lead to loss of fertility and most of the arable Australian land would be rendered barren as fur as agricultural activities are concerned. This would mean that Australia would no longer be able to self-sustain through agricultural produce, a situation that would lead to sustenance dependability and eventually huge amounts of foreign debt. Destruction of agricultural land would also cause rampant large-scale unemployment among millions of Australians who depend on agriculture for their bread and butter. This again would lead to a downward trend for the Australian economy and highly compromise the continent’s ability to self-sustain and self-maintain with little if any foreign aid.
It is estimated that the global sea levels will have risen by 0.1 meters by the year 2030 and to levels as soaring as 0.4 meters by the year 2070. The political ladder in Australia consists of a prime minister and his cabinet of ministers among whom is the minister for environment who is tasked with grappling with the various environmental challenges that face Australia both presently and in the future. Australia, being a commonwealth member ,like other commonwealth members is very concerned with matters environment key among which is the apparent rise in global sea levels (Hill, 2005) and the Australian government is especially resolved to ensure environmental conservation, a pivotal aspect of which is the curbing of the rise in global sea levels.. As part of their national goal to curb rise in global sea levels and conserve the environment at large Australia has chosen to tackle the problem right at its source. The main cause of rise in temperature which eventually leads to rise in sea levels is the increase in the amount of carbon into the atmosphere. In their bid to curb this continuing scourge on the otherwise perfect environment, Australia has set up mechanisms and legislation to govern the amount of carbon emissions produced with the main goal being to keep these levels at a level minimum and less fatal to the environment. These measures include cutting back on high carbon emitting materials and levying sky high taxes on offenders who persist on carbon emittance.
If the rise in global sea levels is not curbed it could have adverse effects on the ecology of Australia.in addition to displacement if people loving around the coastline and destruction of naturally occurring flora around the coastline the rise in sea levels could lead to destruction of fish habitats especially those habiting near the coastline. Sub tidal habitats existing in Australia are also at a high risk of destruction or being rendered no longer habitable or having their geography completely altered.
The issue of the rise in global sea levels, if taken lightly could spell doom for the planet as we know it. The rise in global temperature needs to be curbed in order to keep the global sea levels at a sustainable level failure to which will occur adverse socio-economic as well as ecological effects which will change the normative way of life.
References
Annual report on the operation of the Ozone Protection Act 1989. (2003). Canberra: Australian Govt. Pub. Service.
Bosworth, M. (2004).Environment Australia. Sydney: Methuen of Australia.
H, M. (2008, April 1). One continent or seven countries?.Habitat Australia, 4, 5.
Hill, R. M. (2005). Reform of Commonwealth environment legislation: consultation paper. Canberra: Department of the Environment.
The environmental yardstick: attention all parties!. (2008, October 1). Habitat Australia, 3, 8.
