Thermal expansion is simply the tendency of matter to change in volume as a direct response to a change in temperature. As our ocean waters are heated, the levels begin to slowly rise. And without the polar icecaps – without our planets previously stabilized temperature – thermal expansion adds another boost to an already rising sea level. This problem may be ignored by the majority of the planet, but certain areas of coastline are already beginning to feel the adverse effects.

The next victim is the coastline economy. For instance, the Great Barrier Reef draws in tourists and supplies Australia’s coast with a steady stream of income. Without it, this branch of the economy collapses. We see this in the rest of the world. Imagine every coastal business going under. No more Boardwalk and beaches. No more fishing industry. No more coast period. In the USA alone, over 70% of all citizens live within 100 miles of a coastline. This is over 200,000,000 people.

The high tide brings in the inflated water, and when it leaves, it steals precious bits of our coast. Scientists predict that our ocean will rise upwards of 95 centimeters within 100 years. This doesn’t sound overly dangerous; that is, until you consider that over a meter of coast is completely lost with every centimeter rise. Our fresh water is becoming contaminated with salt water. And since only 3% of all earth’s water is fresh, we cannot afford to lose this. Hurricanes becomes stronger and more frequent due to the warmer water, whales lose their sonar, all deep water fish move closer to the shore. Are you paying attention yet?