PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Sea levels are rising at the fastest rate in 3,000 years and will impact every location along U.S. coastlines, according to a newly released report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other government agencies.
“The United States is expected to experience as much sea-level rise in 30 years as we saw over the span of the entire last century,” said Dr. Richard Spinrad, NOAA administrator.
In the next 30 years, experts expect sea levels to rise about 10 to 12 inches.
“[The rise] will create a profound increase in the frequency of coastal flooding even in the absence of storms or heavy rainfall,” said Nicole LeBoeuf with NOAA.
The agency says the rising seawater will impact everywhere on U.S. coasts, causing sewer systems to be overwhelmed and water to bubble up and flood streets.
Experts said the seawater will sterilize farms and severely damage U.S. ports and military bases.
NOAA said these changes would hurt the economy. About 40% of Americans live within 60 miles of the coast and many things that Americans eat, use, and wear come through those ports.
“By 2050, moderate flooding — flooding that typically damages property and commerce — is expected to occur 10 times as often as it does today.”
Spinrad says this report should be a wake-up call.
“This will happen no matter what we do,” he said.
Doing nothing, he added, will be even more catastrophic.
“If emissions continue at their current pace, it’s likely that we will see at least two feet of sea-level rise by the end of this century along the U.S. coastline,” Spinrad said.