New research finds that the Irish Sea’s level will rise 18.5 inches by the end of this century and floods along the East Coast will be far more frequent.
Researchers compared the flooding the coastal areas would experience to the flooding usually associated with storm surges such as the disastrous flooding seen in County Cork in 2009.
Published by the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway’s Ryan Institute, the research predicts more extreme coastal flooding in Dublin and other vulnerable coastal urban areas in Britain and Ireland. The study also shows that the sea surface temperature will increase by 35.7F.
Speaking to the Irish Times Dr Mike Harnett, of the Ryan Institute said the latest results confirm previous “tentative” studies. The researchers used 3D hydrodynamic modeling technology to predict these changes.
He said “Future changes to oceanographic parameters, flushing times and hydrodynamics of the Irish Sea are likely to alter the habitat and distribution of marine species.”
“The Irish Sea, being semi-enclosed, has a unique and complex geography which influences its currents.”
Harnett explained that the temperature increase would have an effect on ecosystems, fishing and sea transport. However he said the temperature increase in the western Irish Sea would be weaker.
Similarly earlier this week Met Eireann (Ireland meteorological service) published figure stating the temperature in Ireland had increased by 0.75C in the past 20 years. They also found that Ireland is five percent wetter than 30 years ago.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Bythebay | Jun 26, 2012, 08:19 PM EDT
Huge flooding took place recently in the US along the New England coast with sharp coastal erosion and roads washed away. The State of Florida in the US is under several inches of water and sinkholes are appearing. This is a continuing problem.
BrianO | Jun 07, 2012, 10:06 AM EDT
Ephraim it's time to take your meds. How about we let the sea rise and overflow the lands that use to be covered by ocean water in the past? For instance the Bonneville salt flats or Salt lake city, Death valley, just a few spots I can think of off the top of my head. Oh and maybe the ice is melting to replace fresh water to the system caused by desalination factories that supply fresh drinking water to many Arab nations, nature hates a vacuum you know.
merefalow | Jun 04, 2012, 07:38 PM EDT
more green scare stories,there are just as many eminent scientists who deny global warming as endorse it,and even if?it is a reality[and there is not as yet ANY REAL SCIENTIFIC PROVEN FACT THAT THERE IS GW.ITS NOT CAUSED BY THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE OR AIRCRAFT.But it does suit a lot of vested interests to perpetuate and encourage the myth, especially land owners who benefit from the massive subsidized rents the taxpayers pay for these inefficient mechanical monstrosities,green equals rip off.and just suppose it isn't true,will we get all the green rip off taxes back and a sorry,we were wrong,dream on.
EphraimKibbey | Jun 04, 2012, 02:35 PM EDT
The floating ice that melts is not so much a problem for sea level as it is for dumping a bunch of diluting fresh water into a system that depends on a certain salinity to keep our ocean currents flowing in their paths. If the current pump shuts down, then much of western europe loses its warming breezes. The sea level increases will come as the land based glaciers in Canada, Greenland and the Antarctic melt. Alaskan glaciers are calving at an unprecidented rate. None of that volume is part of present sea level and so all of the glacial melt water will increase sea levels drop for drop as well as add fresh water dilution to the oceans. I propose a global program to capture all glacial melt water and transport it to the arid regions of the globe, use it for irrigation, recapture the run off and reuse it. The amount lost to evaporation will add fresh water to our oceans at a much slower rate and over a much wider area so the shock will be lessened. OK private enterprise, you have your billion dollar idea which can save humanity while making you very rich. Get to it! Some one is already started improving cable strength with towing icebergs to Africa in mind. Get in on the ground floor now before its too late. Maybe global warming can be turned to our advantage. That is what humans have always done best. Lemons to lemononade!
Bythebay | Jun 04, 2012, 11:33 AM EDT
Someone should tell Dompedro I said sea levels are rising, it's not just Ireland. World problem, not just an Irish situation. Check the Mid Atlantic and Gulf Coasts in the US where huge coastal erosion is happening and not only in developed, overdeveloped areas. Sea levels have risen 5 to 6 inches in the last century. Duh.
BrianO | Jun 04, 2012, 09:14 AM EDT
Johhnyb, you're right of course, it all depends on the variables and constants. I've tired of arguing with the climate zealots, Things change naturally, they always have, they always will, @jamthecat, you must be vigilant on green technology as well, there are a lot of by products connected with solar panels, batteries, and the like that are much harder to clean than the oil based products.
carrickcourt | Jun 04, 2012, 09:09 AM EDT
Good to see no real global warming denial comments here so far.
johhnyb | Jun 04, 2012, 03:49 AM EDT
Hi Briano.Your explanation about the ice melting and lowering sea levels only works if the ice and sea are at the same level, which they aren't. So I think we can rely on al gore"s assurances. We will definitely see the end of the polar ice cap and a massive rise in sea levels by circa 2015. Not long now!
Dompedro | Jun 03, 2012, 04:00 PM EDT
Somebody should tell bythebay that sea level has been rising for the past 12,000 to 15,000 years, (there was a time when people could have walked from Paris to London to Dublin) and, yes, there is beach, especially barrier island beach, erosion, but that's the way barrier islands and beaches are made; on shore currents erode sand from the south end of beaches and deposit sand at the north end of beaches, and have been doing so for thousands of years. Houses built too close to the beach, especially on the south end of islands, go by-by.
jamthecat | Jun 03, 2012, 03:19 PM EDT
Maybe global warming's man-made, maybe it isn't, but we sure as hell aren't helping it by pumping so much crap into the air. Green technology may not be the final answer, but it's better than doing nothing...and to be honest, it only makes sense. But then, I notice from your casual comment about getting gondolas for Cork while ignoring the fact that the rest of the world will also loose massive amounts of coastline, childish selfishness is typical for uncaring lunks and sociopaths. Only question now is, which are you?
BrianO | Jun 03, 2012, 03:08 PM EDT
frozen water displaces more volume, if the polar ice melts it will result in a lowering of sea levels, unless water is added to the earth's system the amount of water is constant.
johhnyb | Jun 03, 2012, 02:35 PM EDT
Isn't the polar ice all due to melt by 2015? That will account for the rising sea levels no doubt and we'll all be able to watch as it happens. Don't let me forget.
Bythebay | Jun 03, 2012, 02:33 PM EDT
The problem is not just Cork's, it's the US eastern and western seaboards and other countries of the world.
Pittsburghkid | Jun 03, 2012, 02:30 PM EDT
Global Warming is not man made. So you can keep you green technology. The defination of green technology is, that it's too expensive and does not work. My suggestion to Cork is to import Gondulas from Venis Italy. It is very romantic and will be good for tourism.
Bythebay | Jun 03, 2012, 02:01 PM EDT
Extreme coastal flooding has happened in the US as well with both seaboards experiencing the loss of coastline and houses. This is a worldwide problem with rising seas.
Ms.Gail | Jun 03, 2012, 09:44 AM EDT
Time to start visiting the Netherlands to see how the Dutch keep out the sea.