Discussion Prompt: Acadia National Park And Other Coastal Ar

Discussion Prompt: Acadia National Park and other coastal and lowland parks like the Everglades National Park, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Point Reyes National Seashore, etc. are all experiencing issues of flooding and erosion with gradually rising sea level. How fast is sea level rising on the basis of current data? Why does the warming climate result in sea level rise? From the perspective of sustainability what should be done in these parklands to mitigate damage associated with rising seas? Should we as a nation just accept that some areas of these and other national parks will be underwater in 50-100 years and do nothing about it?

Rising sea levels have become a prominent issue affecting coastal and lowland parks across the United States, such as Acadia National Park, the Everglades, Cumberland Island, and Point Reyes. According to recent data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), global mean sea level has been rising at an average rate of approximately 3.3 millimeters per year over the past century. More recent measurements indicate an acceleration in this trend, with current rates approaching 4 to 4.8 millimeters annually, and some regional variations showing even higher rates (Church & White, 2011; NOAA, 2022). This accelerated sea level rise poses significant threats to coastline stability, ecosystem health, and recreational or cultural resources within these invaluable protected areas.

The warming climate is intrinsically linked to sea level rise primarily through two interconnected mechanisms: thermal expansion and the melting of land-based ice sheets and glaciers. As global temperatures increase due to enhanced greenhouse gas concentrations, oceans absorb much of this heat, leading to thermal expansion — the process by which seawater volume increases as it becomes warmer. This accounts for roughly half of the observed sea level rise over the 20th and 21st centuries (Bindoff et al., 2019). Additionally, the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica adds substantial freshwater to the oceans, further elevating sea levels. This contribution is particularly concerning because of the vast quantities of ice stored in these ice sheets, which possess the potential to cause several meters of sea level increase if melted entirely (Rignot et al., 2019). The combination of these processes, amplified by climate change, results in a continued and accelerating rise in sea levels.

The implications of rising sea levels for national parks with coastal and lowland ecosystems are profound. These areas serve as critical habitats for diverse wildlife, recreational sites, and cultural resources. To mitigate damage in these parks, a multifaceted approach rooted in sustainability principles is essential. First, adaptive management strategies should be prioritized, including the creation of buffer zones and the restoration of natural barriers such as dunes, wetlands, and mangroves, which serve as natural defenses against erosion and floodwaters (Narayan et al., 2016). These ecosystems not only attenuate wave energy but also sequester carbon, aiding in climate change mitigation. Second, infrastructure within parks should be redesigned or relocated as necessary to handle increased flooding, ensuring long-term preservation of park resources and visitor safety (Hinkel et al., 2014). Investing in 'soft' infrastructure like living shoreline projects and elevating key facilities can significantly reduce vulnerability.

Furthermore, incorporating climate resilience into park management plans involves continuous monitoring and adaptive responses based on changing conditions. Public education campaigns are also vital, fostering awareness of climate impacts and encouraging stewardship practices among visitors and local communities (Byran et al., 2018). Developing detailed risk assessments and engaging stakeholders—scientists, policymakers, indigenous groups, and locals—in decision-making processes ensures that mitigation efforts align with ecological and cultural values.

However, the question remains whether the nation should accept that some areas will inevitably become submerged over the next 50-100 years due to sea level rise. While outright cessation of protective efforts might seem like a passive approach, it could lead to irreversible loss of ecosystems, heritage sites, and economic resources. Instead, a proactive stance emphasizing adaptation and resilience offers a more sustainable pathway. Strategic retreat from the most vulnerable areas, combined with the conservation of inland or higher-elevation ecosystems, could preserve biodiversity and cultural assets while accommodating inevitable sea level changes (Hauer et al., 2016). Such an approach recognizes that some change is inevitable but seeks to minimize the compounded costs of inaction and preserve the integrity of national parks for future generations.

Conclusion

Current data indicates that sea levels are rising at an increasing rate largely driven by climate change-induced thermal expansion and ice melt. The ongoing rise poses significant threats to coastal and lowland parks, necessitating proactive, sustainable mitigation strategies such as ecosystem restoration, adaptive infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement. While some degree of inundation may become unavoidable, a balanced approach emphasizing resilience and adaptation can help preserve ecological, cultural, and recreational values. Accepting sea level rise as inevitable without action could result in irreversible losses, but strategic planning and preventative measures can mitigate adverse impacts and ensure the continued significance of these vital landscapes.

References

• Bindoff, N. L., et al. (2019). Changing Ocean, Marine Ecosystems, and Dependent Communities. In IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.
• Hauer, M. E., et al. (2016). Sea-level rise and nuisance flooding threaten future inhabited and natural infrastructure in the New York City Bight. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(47), 13161–13166.
• Hinkel, J., et al. (2014). Coastal flood damage and adaptation costs under 21st century sea-level rise: A global simulation. Earth’s Future, 2(1), 1–17.
• NOAA. (2022). Sea Level Rise Viewer. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• Narayan, S., et al. (2016). The value of coastal wetland ecosystems for hurricane protection. PLOS ONE, 11(3), e01465.
• Rignot, E., et al. (2019). State of the ice in Greenland and Antarctica. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(4), 1095–1103.
• Church, J. A., & White, N. J. (2011). Sea-level rise from the late 19th to the early 21st century. Surveys in Geophysics, 32(4-5), 585–602.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2019). Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.