West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Collapse and Future Impacts on Sea Level Rise – Driven Migration on the United States Atlantic Coast
By Jaida Rhea
From the author:
Growing up in the Chesapeake Bay watershed area, I experienced the impacts of sea level rise even before learning the words to describe the process. Sea levels are rising, and they are rising fast. Many people, including myself, have heard the term “sea level rise” used in news sources and media outlets, but don’t completely understand what is happening, why it is happening, or how communities will be impacted in the future. In this mock research proposal written for ES415: Climate Change, I attempt to answer these questions. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, by the end of this century, global mean sea level is predicted to rise at least one foot above 2000 levels. As our planet grows warmer, sea levels will only continue to increase. In this proposal, I explore two major causes of global sea level rise and describe a specific event that could lead to sea levels increasing even faster than they are currently. I also look at the impacts this event could have on the United States Atlantic Coast and develop a framework of how we can better connect major sea level rise events and impacts on people and their communities.
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