NASA has released an alarming animation showing how much global sea level has risen over the past 30 years. The visualization perfectly reflects the rise in water levels, making it look like you’re looking out the window of a boat and the waves are crashing into the boat.
The animation begins with the water rising to about half the height of the window. However, after 30 years, the water level has risen considerably. NASA says the measurements recorded by this mission are exactly right. The level is determined by the 60-day variable average.
"Sea Level Through a Porthole" – new animation by @NASAViz at https://t.co/YADfJXlaq7
Learn more from @NASAClimate at https://t.co/kAiasdwZGl #ClimateChange pic.twitter.com/4X0c7ibKXa
— Zack Labe (@ZLabe) June 19, 2023
Global sea level has risen about eight centimeters in the last 30 years. While that may not seem like a lot, when it comes to sea levels, every centimeter of rising water puts coastal residential areas at risk. While this animation may sound a bit mundane to many, it’s actually pretty scary to think about, especially if you imagine you’re in a boat that is constantly sinking into the depths of the ocean.
The ongoing climate change crisis is believed to be at the root of rising sea levels, the most obvious reason being the melting of ancient ice floes that have been frozen for billions of years. What’s even scarier than seeing sea level rise in this animation is to think about what it would look like if sea level reached the projected 48cm if some of the glaciers melted.
Thirty years may seem like a long time, almost a lifetime. But that’s only two-thirds of the time companies like ExxonMobil know how dangerous burning fossil fuels is for our planet. So seeing sea level rise eight centimeters over the same period of time really highlights the need to find ways to slow climate change, and NASA’s sea level animation is a reminder of how time is running out.
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