Rising Sea Levels

What is the issue and why is it happening?

Sea levels are rising rapidly due to global warming. The water is heating up which is cause the ice to melt into the ocean and also causes thermal expansion. More water in the ocean causes the sea levels to rise.

How is this issue impacting local indigenous communities in Canada

The rise of sea levels is causing water to flood indigenous communities living near water. This also results in erosion, so people will have less land to live on.

What are the potential global impacts

• salt from seawater impacts farms and plants
• changes to animal habitats
• smaller islands getting flooded
• extreme weather

How is the Sun related to this issue

The heat from the sun heats up the ocean. The greenhouse gasses trap the heat, causing the water to expand and ice to melt.

What are humans doing or what could we do to address this problem

• reducing greenhouse gasses emissions
• using less fossil fuels
• using renewable energy sources
• building sea walls
• using elevated roads

Works Citied

Lindsey, Rebecca. “Climate Change: Global Sea Level.” Climate.gov, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 22 Aug. 2023, www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-sea-level.

The Ocean Portal Team. “Sea Level Rise.” Smithsonian Ocean, 18 Dec. 2018, ocean.si.edu/through-time/ancient-seas/sea-level-rise.

“Overview of Canadian communities exposed to sea level rise.” Ncceh.ca, 2025, ncceh.ca/resources/evidence-reviews/overview-canadian-communities-exposed-sea-level-rise#toc-table.

Lindsey, Rebecca, and Luann Dahlman. “Climate Change: Ocean Heat Content.” Climate.gov, 6 Sept. 2023, www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-ocean-heat-content.

Craig, Caroline, and Brian Palmer. “Sea Level Rise 101: The Causes, Effects, and Responses.” Www.nrdc.org, 25 Mar. 2024, www.nrdc.org/stories/sea-level-rise-101.