Our oceans comprise 70% of the planet \u2013 covering a staggering 362 million square kilometers \u2013 and supply more than half of the World\u2019s oxygen[1]<\/a>, <\/sup>[2]<\/a>. \u00a0From our earliest recorded history, oceans have enabled trade between countries from East to West, led explorers to discover new continents, and been a primary source of food sustenance. \u00a0Until today, the sea remains the economic mainstay of many coastal communities and its marine life continues to provide essential nutrients for a healthy diet, particularly in less-developed countries[3]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yet, our oceans and marine life are under threat. \u00a0Water temperatures have increased by around 0.1 degree Celsius over the past century[4]<\/a>. \u00a0At a first glance, this figure may not seem significant, but it is already having a major effect on the diversity of the ocean\u2019s marine life. \u00a0Coral reefs, which provide a home and protection for thousands of aquatic species[5]<\/a>, are also under threat, as rising sea temperatures kill the algae that keep the reefs alive[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n The issue extends further to the biodiversity of our freshwater aquatic systems. \u00a0According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF<\/a>), our rivers, lakes and freshwater wetlands contain 10% of all marine species with a greater diversity per square kilometer than our oceans or on land[7]<\/a>. \u00a0But human interventions such as pollution, man-made dams, overfishing and sand mining are undermining both their diversity and abundance.<\/p>\n The UN\u2019s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC<\/a>), estimates that between 2081 and 2100, water temperatures could rise by between 0.40 and 0.63 degrees in low or high emission scenarios respectively[8]<\/a>. \u00a0From a scientific viewpoint, colder water can absorb more carbon dioxide (CO2<\/sub>).\u00a0 So as the oceans get warmer, \u00a0they retain less CO2\u00a0 <\/sub>\u2013 which means it stays in the atmosphere[9]<\/a>.<\/p>\n The same principle applies to our rising sea levels, caused by an increase in water volume. \u00a0This temperature driven thermal expansion increases global sea water volumes even before additional volume from the melting of the polar icecaps is accounted for, which will cause sea levels to rise even further. \u00a0And the issue is accelerating. \u00a0Sea levels are thought to have risen by around 13-20 centimeters since 1900. \u00a0By 2100, they are projected to rise between 30 centimeters and 1 meter[10]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Already we are seeing the effects of rising sea levels through increased coastal flooding[11]<\/a>. \u00a0It is estimated that the 300 million people living in coastal areas globally will experience flooding at least once a year by 2050, unless carbon emissions reduce considerably, and coastal defenses are strengthened[12]<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n Climate Central<\/a> has an interactive topological map model here,<\/a>\u00a0based on peer-reviewed scientific data to attempt to understand and quantify the areas at risk.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2020\/04\/ALJ-Fish-Health-Benefits-scaled.jpg\")
\u00a0Swelling seas<\/h2>\n