Warming Water, Rising Seas

Name: Warming Water, Rising Seas
Uploaded: 2021-02-10T00:00:00+00:00
Description: Sea levels are rising due to two causes: melting ice adding water to the ocean, and thermal expansion — warmer seawater taking up more space. This animated science video for children ages 5–10 explains both causes of sea level rise, how coastal communities are adapting, the threats of erosion and increased salinity, and how reducing climate change can slow sea level rise.

This video is a part of Animated Atmosphere, a suite of short videos produced by the UCAR Center for Science Education with FableVision Studios.

You may know that melting glaciers and ice sheets is causing sea levels to rise. Did you also know that the ocean absorbs heat, causing it to expand? Learn more about this process and how it’s impacting coastlines around the planet.

Transcript

[0:04] Earth's increasing temperature is causing sea level to rise.

[0:08] You probably heard how warming causes ice and snow to melt, adding water to the ocean.

[0:12] But there's another reason for higher seas.

[0:14] As Earth warms, the ocean absorbs heat, causing seawater to expand.

[0:19] The water takes up more space when it's warmer.

[0:21] This is called thermal expansion.

[0:24] The rate of rise is increasing as the rate of climate warming increases.

[0:27] Coastal communities have begun adapting

[0:29] like building levees and putting houses on stilts.

[0:32] Rapid sea level rise can cause coastal erosion and flooding,

[0:35] and can increase the salinity of rivers, bays and drinking water.

[0:38] The good news is that reducing climate change will also reduce sea level rise.