3"-6" Inches Sea Level Rise All It Will Take To Put S. Florida Into World Of Hurt, Shortage And Cost

[hatrack]

A sea-level rise of just a few inches will bring flooding to South Florida cities, contaminate sources of drinking water and lead to sharp increases in utility bills over the next 20 or 30 years, according a study released Wednesday by Florida Atlantic University.

The study found that projected sea level increases of 3 to 6 inches by 2030, due to global warming, could overwhelm flood-control systems that in many areas are more than 50 years old. The authors provided a list of steps to be taken in the coming decades, from moving drinking-water wells inland to installing more pump stations, that could help the region cope with the higher water.

"Unprecedented sea level rise and other climate change impacts are likely to result in serious threats to the water supply, increased risks of flooding, hurricane damage, huge infrastructure investments and other consequences both known and unknown at this time," states the study, conducted by researchers at the university's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Global warming causes sea levels to rise because water expands as it increases in temperature and because glaciers melt. In the past century, sea levels have risen 4.8 to 8.8 inches, largely due to global warming, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Higher sea levels will increase the intrusion of saltwater into underground sources of drinking water, forcing cities to abandon wells near the ocean and drill new ones, according to the report.

EDIT

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/fl-water-climate-20111020,0,5346322.story

[Nihil]

1. The sooner the better.

American politicians will continue to ignore the problem as long as it
only affects poor people in foreign countries. Maybe once it starts to
harm a few Americans, they will pay a bit more attention?

Maybe not but hey, "Hope & Change" right?

[txlibdem]

2. Our politicians are too busy doling out favors and tax credits to their biggest campaign donors

We need to take to the streets and expand the OWS/OccupyTogether movements to include the environment and ending subsidies for fossil fuels (which receive over $400 Billion each year worldwide).

[wtmusic]

3. Unfortunately the news about millions of deaths in low-lying SE Asian countries

may eclipse that of the Sarasota Homeowners' Association having to filter their drinking water.

[Nihil]

4. Having been exposed to US TV news, I doubt it.

Well, not for the main 55 minutes of a 1 hour news programme anyway.