Global Warming: Surging Sea Levels Threaten U.S. Coasts: Study

Global warming is going to affect several coastal states in the U.S., as the sea level is projected to rise up to 8 inches in the coming decades, according to a new study.

The rising sea levels will double the estimated odds of worst floods and high tidal waves in the next 18 years. This means deadly storms, which so far are considered as rare happenings, will occur more frequently. Many American cities in the coastal line will have to bear the brunt of surging seas and the resultant storms and tidal waves.

Though cities in many states like California, Louisiana, New York and New Jersey are at risk, research depicts that Florida is most vulnerable.

The study, led by Dr. Strauss for the nonprofit organization Climate Central, states that across the country, around 5 million people are living in 2.6 million houses that are less than 4 feet above the high tide line and of these, 3.7 million live less than one meter above the tide line.

According to the researchers, sea level has risen by eight inches since 1880 and increase in global warming sped up the process in recent decades.

According to the study, scientists expect about 20 to 80 more inches of global sea level rise, depending significantly on how much more heat-trapping pollution humankind puts into the sky. The amount also depends on just how strongly pollution translates into warming, and just how strongly warming translates into sea rise.

Though there is no dispute among the climate scientists all over the world that sea level is rising and that it would result in devastating storms and floods in the coming decades, scientists differ on the cause of it.

Many scientists question the theory that global warming leads to sea level rise saying it lacks solid scientific evidence.

However, billions of dollars are spent globally to prevent and combat the damage caused by rising sea levels.