If the global climate were to warm
significantly as a result of the greenhouse effect or
other climatic change, the Arctic ice cap would start
to melt. This ice cap contains the equivalent of some
680,000 cubic miles of water. More than 200 million
people live on land that is less than 3 feet above sea
level. In the United States several large cities have
low average elevations. Three examples are Boston
(14 feet), New Orleans (4 feet), and San Diego (13
feet). In this exercise you are to estimate the rise in
sea level if the Arctic ice cap were to melt and to
determine whether this event would have a significant
impact on people living in coastal areas.
8 answers