Column: Millions at Risk from Submergence of Coastal Cities by 2050

By Joshua John-Brandy
New reports from experts estimate that sea levels could rise by 2m.
Who can doubt that the world is changing faster each year? It gallops towards years that many dread. And if the talk around Brexit isn’t enough, a new report has come in from Nature Communications, warning us of multiple expectations about the rise of sea levels. Specifically the fact that they could surpass 7 feet by 2050.
Apparently, many coastal cities could disappear, as a result of a flood that very well may result in countries such as Vietnam, and Thailand being submerged. It was previously predicted that multiple cities and countries would experience flooding, but this new report reveals the potential scale.
(Old Prediction)  Blue represents water  (New Prediction)
Thailand

Vietnam
 
This upheaval is further highlighted by the impact climate change could have on Iraq, stating it “threatens to drive further social and political instability in the region, which could reignite armed conflict and increase the likelihood of terrorism”. This is said by general Castellaw, a retired Marine corps lieutenant. He then goes on to say that the expansion of water levels could result in further issues, labeling it as a “humanitarian, security and possibly military problem too.”
                                                                    Barsa (Iraq)
Not to rid anyone of hope, but there isn’t a magic cure that’ll settle sea levels – if there was then it’ll have to cure global warming, and that would resolve so many problems. It just isn’t possible… but there are ways to help, and to help you need to understand what the problem is.
So I’ll put it as simple as possible. Energy is trapped on the Earth’s surface and air above it due to certain gases (greenhouse gases). The most familiar of these gases are water vapour, carbon dioxide, and methane. And whose fault is this? Us humans. But the worst part about this is the fact that we’ve only started to resolve the problem… when we already knew it was coming! These harmful gases are released during production in factories, agricultural processes, from our cars, etc.
You’ve probably heard this before, more now than ever – but there are little things you can do that will have a big impact. Converting to biodegradable products, recycling materials, or even just walking can help save the world! I could make the list longer, but then that’s just more to read, and I don’t want to bore you.
Although there are expectations of a catastrophic flood, just remember it’s a theory, – everything’s theory. We can add evidence to see a potential outcome, but we can’t literally see the future. And if we want to see the future, then it’s us who need to change.