As the Earth’s temperature continues to rise, sea levels are following suit. The scientific community has been warning about the impacts of sea level rise for decades, and now those impacts are beginning to be felt around the globe. One of the most significant impacts of sea level rise is on the world’s drinking water supply.
Sea level rise occurs as a result of melting glaciers and ice sheets, which release water into the ocean. Additionally, as ocean temperatures increase, the water expands, causing sea levels to rise even further. This rise in sea levels can have several impacts on drinking water, including saltwater intrusion, flooding, and contamination.
Saltwater intrusion occurs when saltwater infiltrates freshwater sources, making them undrinkable. This process can occur naturally in areas where the groundwater is close to the ocean, but it is exacerbated by sea level rise. As sea levels rise, the pressure on the freshwater sources increases, causing saltwater to push farther inland. This process can contaminate groundwater sources and make them unusable for drinking or irrigation.
Flooding is another significant impact of sea level rise on drinking water. As sea levels rise, the frequency and severity of flooding events increase. Floods can contaminate drinking water sources, including reservoirs and wells, with pollutants and bacteria, making the water unsafe to drink. Floods can also damage infrastructure, such as water treatment plants, which can further compromise the safety and availability of drinking water.
Contamination is a third impact of sea level rise on drinking water. As flooding occurs, pollutants from land-based sources, such as agricultural and industrial activities, can be swept into water sources. Additionally, as sea levels rise, coastal infrastructure, such as waste disposal sites and industrial facilities, can be compromised, releasing contaminants into the water.
The impacts of sea level rise on drinking water are already being felt around the world. In the United States, for example, saltwater intrusion is affecting groundwater sources in Florida and California, and flooding has damaged water treatment plants in Texas and North Carolina. In the Pacific Island nation of Kiribati, rising sea levels have contaminated freshwater sources with saltwater, forcing residents to rely on rainwater for drinking and cooking.
Addressing the impacts of sea level rise on drinking water will require a multi-pronged approach. First, we must work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow the pace of sea level rise. Second, we must invest in infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of sea level rise, such as sea walls and water treatment plants that are elevated above flood levels. Third, we must work to protect and restore natural ecosystems, such as wetlands and forests, that can help absorb and filter water.
Sea level rise is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and its impacts on drinking water are just one of the many consequences we will face if we fail to act. By taking a comprehensive approach to this issue, we can help ensure that people around the world have access to safe, clean drinking water, even as the climate changes.