Question

Sea levels are rising, there is no debate about that. As most of the human population exists in cities and areas very close to coastlines, what is the potential global effect of rising sea levels? What about habitat loss? Will this potentially strain relationships among some countries?

Answer 1

Rising sea levels can have a range of potential impacts which includes higher sea levels and flooding.It may also lead to coastal erosion, salanization of ground and surface water. It can cause degradation of coastal habitats such as wetlands.

The biggest threat is the melting arctic icecaps which would give rise to potentially dangerous international race to capture valuable sea oil and gas resources. it is also predicted that  warmer temperatures would change the location of South East Asian fishing grounds, leading to conflict over fishing rights.Maldives, most parts of which are only 1.5 m above sea level have started investing to find new homeland due to the threat of drowning islands while South Korean companies and other countries have started investing in Maldives and African countries to meet their needs of the future.

Disputes over access to scarce food resources could mean increasing the navy in the seas for coastal countries.