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As the sea level rises, its surface grows by the square. So, more and more water is needed for it to rise more. So, all linear predictions are flawed anyway. Wh
by Kenji 10y ago
As the sea level rises, its surface grows by the square. So, more and more water is needed for it to rise more. So, all linear predictions are flawed anyway. What do you think, the sea is suddenly going to rise by meters? Get a grip on reality. I really dislike these alarmist articles.
EDIT: Okay, I checked the math and the square really doesn't weigh much at this ratio of sphere radius vs. sea level rise. I guess I should rely less on asymptotes in the real world ;)
Still, I remain largely unconcerned about sea level rises since even if it were to continue linearly, it's completely unproblematic except for some coastal/below sea regions.
- pithon 10y agoMany nonlinear problems can be approximated as linear and in this case the rough sea level rise (think altitude/distance) so ridiculously dwarfs the radius of the earth (the square in your argument) that the linear approximation is pretty good.
- danenania 10y agoDoesn't that assume perfectly flat coastlines?
- roywiggins 10y agoIf we were randomly distributed on land, I'd agree. But humans are disproportionately concentrated on coasts compared to inland.
- M_Grey 10y agoWhat a pity that we predominately live in coastal regions, and what a pity that you're ignoring the issue of our water table being inundated.