Why rising sea levels is a problem
dduggerbiocepts,
Although the sea levels on average rise on average .3 mm a year (as you stated), that figure doesn't tell the whole story. The rate of rising sea levels actually varies by region due to other factors such as changing winds, ocean currents and the gravitational pull of polar ice sheets. In fact, in some regions sea level is falling. For instance, data from weatherunderground.com shows that the surrounding sea level in Tuvalu is rising at an alarming rate of rise of 5.7 mm per year.
As far as Kiribati is concerned, they have a reason to be worried. At the turn of the century two of their uninhabited islets (Tebua Tarawa and Abanuea) had been covered by the sea. I updated the article to reflect the fact that rising sea levels impacts different regions in different ways.
- Tuan
