Ocean on-pagers: Do we know enough of Oceans?
Vulnarability to sea level rise
One of the manifestations of environmental problems such as global warming, El Nino, Ozone depletion, etc. is a rise in sea levels. Rise in sea levels effect a large percentage of the world's population who live close to the sea shores. Flooding and distruction of property, beach erosion, wreking of fragile coastal marine ecosystems such as corral reefs, etc. are effected as a result of sea level rise.
Vulnarability to sea level rise

Current sea level

Number of people curently living in coastal areas vulnarable to flooding from storm surges ... 46 million
50 cm rise in sea level

Number of people living in vulnarable areas if global warming produces a 50-centimeter rise in sea level ... 92 million
1 m rise in sea level

Number of people living in vulnarable areas if global warming produces a 1-meter rise in sea level ... 118 million
Source: Worldwatch Jan/Feb 1997

Also see: Effect of Sea-level Rise on Japan
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