Weather | Oceanseed Project

In our diverse and rapidly growing world population of today, the holiday season represents so many things to so many people. All the requirements needed to feed, cloth and shelter our every expanding human population cocsistantly grows at such a clip that is seems only outpaced by the rate that most with the good fortune of being birthed in one of our world’s affluent countries, chose to live life each day.

The irony of all this is of course that while it is so often spoken about as if we have nothing to do with all this.

The ever increasing pace at which we lead our lives, the manner that we chose to be honest in the distinctions that we make between needs and wants, the emphasis and value we place on conspicuous consumption, the consideration, priority and actions that we give connection, time together, deep listening, being present, being of service without thought for self, the implications of all our choices — the reality is that each of us individually and as a community specifically determine all of this, what is acceptable and how it all plays out.

Lifestyle, demeanor, manors, compassion, hope, wellbeing, happiness, love, are just a few of the many truly worthwhile virtues that are discussed, considered and espoused in abundance this time of year, amidst the duality that is all the consumerism that colors so much of today’s contemporary holiday season.

Amidst all this hustle that seems to be a life all its own, there is still such authentic love, hope and goodness that exists. In fact if you look closely it can be found all around us.

This was the case this week in Lima, Perú where earlier this week, at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, most of our world’s governments managed to agree on a new document aimed at curbing climate change.

The result of countless expert scientist and hundreds negotiators, the document will next go to Paris a year from now for final approval. Certainly shortcomings are inherent in the homogenization process that is compromise and those most familiar with this resulting draft say that it is laden with many serious ones. This said, in no uncertain terms, this agreement is a major success for all and perhaps most significantly it is the intent expressed through action that counts most here.

“We know increasingly that we can address climate change, and moving on to Paris, we cement the fact that we will address climate change.” stated Christiana Figueres, executive secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

When we are mindful in our thoughts and actions, think of others before ourselves and undertake ever opportunity with true compassion, possibility and well being blossoms for all.

Lets celebrate the shared mission, work, dedication and accomplishments of this week’s U.N. Convention on Climate Change along with all the world’s consciousness and efforts that made is possible.

Coastal California is a special place. Living here we are well aware of the beauty and opportunity it offers. This ecosystem is incredibly dynamic and changes day-to-day and more drastically over the years. Those living near the coast surely have witnessed the rise and fall of the tides, seasonal storms and accompanying increased wave heights. Walking along the shore during these events we bare witness to the incredible power of the ocean.

For billions of years these processes have been occurring. The moon’s orbit pulls on the ocean creating the predictable high and low tides we see. The wobbling tilt of the earth creates the seasons and effects atmospheric pressure systems creating storms that batter the coast causing erosion. These natural cycles are nothing new. Global sea level has been fluctuating for millions of years through ice ages and interglacial periods.

As you must know, we are currently in a warming trend. Sea levels have been rising for the past 18,000 years and will continue for the foreseeable future. This reality is already starting to create problems for the nearly 100 million people living within three feet of sea level. Though we know the earth is warming and that we will see a drastic increase in sea levels over the next century, scientists are unsure exactly how high and how fast levels will rise. Understanding the answers to these questions will provide us a clearer picture and will inform a more effective response to the issue.

Though we are unsure about some of the specifics regarding the rates of sea level change, we are certain of its cause. Global warming, influenced by both natural processes and the addition of tremendous amounts of greenhouse gases from human activities have contributed to sea level rise by melting ice caps and glaciers and have also caused thermal expansion of our oceans as it slowly warms. Thermal expansion is the increase in waters volume associated with its increase in temperature and has accounted for around ¼ of total sea level rise over the past several thousand years.

As sea level rises, waves break closer to shore causing increased erosion rates thusly creating problems for coastal development. Low lying coastal areas are at increased risks for tidal flooding with some even predicted to be completely underwater by the turn of the next century. Many communities are responding to these issues and planning projects by taking into account predicted increases as well as implementing managed retreats of developments to higher ground.

The ocean is often an unpredictable environment. However, understanding past effects of climate change and predicting and planning for future sea levels will reduce the threat posed by rising tides and will greatly increase our ability to live and interact closely with the marine environment.

Sources:

Data Points: Griggs, Gary. Introduction to California’s Beaches and Coast. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2012. Print
Image: Renda, Dominic, Oceanseed Project – Pleasure Point Sunset, March 2011

Tag Archives: Weather

High Tide Rising

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