Tag Archives: Climate Change

Rising Sea Levels – Are We the Culprits?

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Originally published by ReefWatch SA on 5 May 2016.


Photo: Climate Commission

We’ve all heard a tonne of different reasons for rising sea levels – climate change, a delayed reaction to the last ice age, a natural change in our surrounds and climate (because, after all, the world changes). But what’s the scientific evidence to back this up? Do we really know the reason behind rising sea levels? Is it a little bit our fault, but a little bit inevitable? It’s a constant debate in the media, and I’m sure as ocean lovers (like myself), it is a question that you also ponder. Are rising sea levels my fault, or is it something else?

Well, a recent study has found that it wasn’t our fault pre-1970. CSIRO researchers found that from the 1950s to the 1970s, rising sea levels were mostly caused by a delayed reaction to the warming that followed the ‘Little Ice Age’ (1300 – 1870 AD). This accounted for approximately 70% of the increase in sea levels across the world. However, after 1970, less than 10% of measured rises were due to this delayed reaction. So what, I hear you ask, has caused an increase in sea levels in the past 45 years?

Yes, you guessed it, it turns out that we are, in fact to blame for such a drastic change in sea levels. The effect of humans, via global warming, on sea level rises for the period of about 1870 – 1970 is actually quite low, accounting for only 15% of the problem. But since 1970 this has become over 70% of the driving force behind rising sea levels, and the subsequent loss of homes, infrastructure and coastal stability.

There are a number of reasons why the sudden increase in greenhouse gases and aerosols have increased sea levels but primarily this is because of the increase in temperature. Not only does it lead to the melting of the ice caps in the Arctic and Antarctic, and glaciers around the world, but it also, quite literally, expands the water. You know how your drink bottle will expand (and sometimes even explode) if you leave it in a hot car all day? Well, the same principle applies here – heat means expansion, and in the case of the ocean, expansion means rising sea levels.

So, it’s because of us that sea levels are rising so drastically. But, as always, it’s not all doom and gloom. You can do your part to help – you may not think that one person’s actions can change the world, but it can. And being one of millions to take a few minor steps in cutting your greenhouse emissions and carbon footprint will make a HUGE difference to our planet – and to the safety of our beloved, Australian coast.

Original research link.

Life on the Seven Seas

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Life on the Seven SeasOriginally published by RiAus on 31st July 2015.

Everything is affected by climate change. From the mountains to the bottom of the ocean, our every action can have an impact on the world around us. The 25zero campaign helps to highlight the impact through the loss of our snow-capped mountains along the equator. But it’s not just the mountains that are affected by climate change and global warming, the oceans are too.

There has been a lot of publicity about rising sea levels in the past years. And why wouldn’t there be, with 44% of the world’s population living within 150 kilometres of the coast. In Australia, we are even more drastically affected by the idea of rising sea levels with an astonishing 85% of our population living in coastal cities. Needless to say, rising sea levels are an immensely worrying and relevant issue for billions of people.

Scientists have found that sea levels have risen an average of 3.5 millimetres every year since the early 1990s. That doesn’t sound like much, but in the past 25 years, that means that sea levels have risen 8.75 centimetres. If this trend continues, in 85 years, sea levels could rise 2 metres, effectively wiping out most of Australia’s cities and towns, alongside 44% of the world’s settlements.

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This spectacular phenomenon happens because of two reasons; thermal expansion and melting ice. Thermal expansion occurs because as Earth’s atmosphere heats up (about 0.7 degrees in the last century, ten times faster than any other period in history), so too does the water. And as anybody who has taken basic chemistry can attest, as things heat, they expand. Alongside this, the increased heat means that more of the ice caps and glaciers are melting, leading to a vicious circle of heating, expansion and rising sea levels.

Yet, surprisingly, it’s not all doom and gloom. Yes, there is a chance that there will be less and less land to live on, but Earth has always been the ‘Blue Planet’ and some groups of people have decided to embrace this. Carving out lives on the seven seas, the Bajau of South East Asia have embraced the open oceans and almost never set foot on land. They are born aboard boats, get married, have children and eventually die out at sea. Proving that we can survive the rising sea levels. In fact, some Bajau are so adapted for a life at sea that they appear almost amphibian!

These ‘Guardians of the Sea’ have been trailing the high seas since at least the 16th century, trading and thriving at sea for many generations. In fact, they spend some Bajau spend so little time on land that they get ‘land sick’! For them, the islands throughout the South East Asian oceans are merely a layover to trade for rice, grain and petrol before returning to their aquatic way of life. But never fear! If you don’t want to spend all of your days rocking from side to side on a boat, some Bajau living just off the coast in houses on stilts. These homes still take advantage of the many bounties that the ocean has to offer, but keeps the owners dry and out of danger in all but the most horrific weather.

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Alternatively, we could always make our own island like the Uru people of Peru. Originally building these ‘floating islands’ to escape persecution, the Uru people have now made more than forty-two buoyant masses that they live, play and even raise chickens on! Lake Titicaca is 58,000 kilometres squared, so there is plenty of room for these drifting abodes, and the Uru have even managed to make money from their unique living situation through tourism. But how do they do it?

Lake Titicaca has many reed beds throughout its vast expanse, and the Uru have taken advantage of this. Taking these reeds, they literally weave their own island to stay afloat. By trapping air bubbles within this botanic mass, buoyancy is assured and up to six families can live on one makeshift raft. But, reeds do rot away, especially when they are in constant contact with water, so they must constantly be replaced and replenished to keep this sustainable home ‘sea-worthy’.

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And there are many more peoples of the world who have embraced a more aquatic way of life. Using human ingenuity, adaptability and resourcefulness, humans have proved yet again that we can thrive in almost any circumstance. Still not keen on living on the seven seas? Well, tune into Channel 25zero to discover more about climate change and help us and the amazing 25zero team to raise awareness for COP21 in November this year! Join the fight to stop the rising sea levels! If only so you don’t have to spend your life aboard a boat.

Find out more about climate change with Channel 25zero!

What is COP21?

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What is COP21Originally published by RiAus on 3 July 2015.

Today marks 150 days until COP21, and the start of RiAus’ journey with Tim Jarvis; 25zero. Needless to say, we’re all REALLY excited about the next few months as we go on a virtual journey with Tim across the equator. But it does raise the question, what is COP21 and why should we care?

What is COP 21?

COP stands for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or, COP. It refers to the group of people from 196 ‘States’, or countries who come together to talk about human-induced climate change. It is the aim of these people to change the course of climate change, and save the Earth. A number of initiatives have already been put into place by past COPs. They all aim to reduce the impact of our actions upon the earth. Currently, the aim is to limit the rise in temperature to less than 2°C.

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This year is the 21st COP gathering, hence the name COP21. This year it will be held in Paris between November 30th and December 11th.

The Main Aims

This year, France is holding the biggest diplomatic event they have ever hosted. The aim for this gathering is:

to reach, for the first time, a universal, legally binding agreement that will enable us to combat climate change effectively and boost the transition towards resilient, low-carbon societies and economies.

To achieve this goal, greenhouse emissions must be reduced to decrease global warming. The way to do this will be through legislation and legal initiatives that encourage countries to reduce their carbon footprint. This agreement will then be enforced in 2020 for a better future for us all.

There are also a number of monetary incentives and support systems set up as billions of dollars will be spent to try and usher the 196 States into a new, more eco-friendly future.

Why Should We Care?

Climate change affects us all. As the world is warming, our ecosystems are failing and the world is being irreparably damaged. Scientists’ predictions for the end of the world have ranged from within our lifetime, to our grandchildren’s lives. Either way, something has to change.

How Can I Help?

If you can’t fly to Paris and take part in COP21, then you can still take part and help to raise awareness. Adelaidean, Tim Jarvis has started an amazing new initiative called 25zero which you can take part in from your home! Check out this short video for more information.