Rising sea levels, due to climate change, are the effect from higher temperatures that in turn impact natural resources across the globe. High temperatures cause glacier and ice melting and thermal expansion of warming oceans. Understanding the history and causes of rising temperature and sea levels better prepare us to address these issues and come up with solutions. Read and watch the resources below to learn more.
Background Resources to Prepare for Discussion
Consider having students read/watch some or all of these resources before you meet to provide background on the topic.
- Watch one or more videos about sea level rise:
- How countries around the world are beating sea level rise explains what areas are at risk, why sea levels are rising and some solutionsÂ
- Climate change impacts on U.S. coastlines video talks about how sea levels have changed and the impact it is having along the various coast lines.
- Sea level rise is so much more than melting ice video talks about different factors that are causing sea level rise
- Listen to one of these podcast episodes about sea level rise:
- Sea Change: From Sea to Rising Sea Talks about three different coastal locations and their solution to rising sea levelsÂ
- Rising Tides Podcast: Episode 3: Charting sea level from space Talks about why there are various rates of sea level rise in different locations and how we measure itÂ
Facilitating the Discussion
You may choose to begin your discussion by going through the slide deck with students. Notes for facilitating/presenting can be found in the notes section of the slide deck.
Activity Option 1:
- Use the resources provided in the slide deck to guide students through sea level rise resource analysis and discussion. Allow the students to present their findings to each other and discuss.
- You can also write an article for a magazine about sea-level change and have each group come up with a headline that describes the patterns they noticed.
Activity 2: Coastal Protection Design Challenge
- Encourage students to design their own coastal towns or communities that are at risk of flooding. Research and Create innovative ways to protect your town like seawalls, natural barriers, or elevated structures. Best done with physical supplies.
- Use these tools to aide in discovering sea level rise across the world
Discussion Questions
- What is causing sea levels to rise and how is climate change contributing to this? Why aren’t all areas rising at the same rate?
- Besides flooding, what other problems are associated with sea level rise?
- What are some potential solutions for mitigating the impacts of sea level rise?
- What additional questions do we have about this topic that we’d like to explore further?
- Can we think of any ideas for action projects related to this topic?
Extension Resources
These resources should take students beyond understanding of the issue into locally relevant data and/or action
- Maryland island struggles to survive impact of rising sea level, erosion 60 minute broadcast about Smith Island (13:10)
- Saltwater from rising sea levels threatens future of farming along Chesapeake Bay video talks about how rising salt water is affecting once fertile land
- What is sea level rise and why does it matter to our future? Talks about global sea level rise, what countries are most impacted, and what can be done
- Citizen science project where you can document local impacts of rising tides and intensified storms
- An interactive map that shows local relative sea level trends
Related Resources
Note to Chapter Leaders: These resources are available for your use or you may choose to use your own local resources on this topic. We also encourage you to involve student leaders in facilitating lessons and discussions.
