Australian Sea Level Rises are Double World Average

According to new data issued by the Australian National Tidal Centre, sea levels off the country’s Western coast are rising at more than twice the rate as those around the rest of the world.  Here, the sea has been rising by close to nine millimetres annually, while the global average is closer to three millimetres.  Scientists partly attribute the situation to the impact of climate change on Australia – with humans identified as the root cause.

According to climatologists, global sea level rises are linked to the twin effects of human and natural intervention. 

Global Sea Level Rises

By and large, the past 100 years have seen global sea levels rises take place by around 1.7 millimetres annually.  From 1993 onwards, however, they have been rising by about twice that figure.  In certain parts of the world, though – Australia among them - sea level rises have been sharper still.

The indications for Australia are disturbing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation representative Dr John Church suggested in comments made to the BBC.  “I think the fact that sea levels are rising is a major reason for concern and it's a combination of the global average rise together with the natural variability leading to larger regional rises over certain periods and extreme events as in storm surges which will have the most impact”, he stated, adding: “…and, of course, sea level rise will not stop in 2100, it will continue for many centuries.” 

Scientists working at CSIRO highlight how global temperature rises have been instrumental in pushing up sea levels over the past century.  Arctic icecap and glacier melts have also been a factor, they add.

Impact of Climate Change on Australia

Approximately 80 per cent of Australia’s 22 million residents live close to the country’s coastline.  Because of this, many are especially concerned about the impact of climate change on Australia – with predictions of flooding and consequent land erosion that could trigger the need for mass population relocation in future years. 

This fear was brought into focus by a recent report produced by an Australian parliamentary commission which recommended – amongst other things – that consideration be given to the number of new properties permitted to be constructed in close proximity to the coast.

See also:

Australia Tops World on CO2 Emissions Per Capita

Australian Photovoltaic Facility will be World's Largest