What if all Ice Melted On Earth?

There are currently more than five million cubic miles of ice on Earth, four times the amount of liquid water on Earth. Scientists say it will take more than 5,000 years to melt.

But have you ever thought about it?
What if the ice suddenly melted due to a global catastrophe or climate change?
What if all the ice melted?

The problems like global warming and climate change are the issues that will be around us for a long time. Scientists also did different researches to the solutions of the problems affected if all ice cubes melt.
If all the ice on earth suddenly melted, sea levels would rise by 66 meters. This would be disastrous to coastal cities worldwide, which we well know are the hubs of commerce and development worldwide.
The cities or countries that will be affected are listed below:

1 MIAMI CITY OF USA

The city of USA Miami sits at two meters above sea level. It has the third-largest population among the cities of the United States. The city compensates for its low elevation level with its over 300 skyscrapers. Recently, the city has experienced an increasing frequency of floods due to high water waves, high groundwater levels, and saturated soil. A storm surge has been a challenge as it raises the water surrounding Miami beach above-average levels. This causes damage to upland properties and infrastructure.

Given all this, the city is working tirelessly to reverse these effects. Raising roads above sea level can help reduce drainage and flooding. The city has built pumping stations and other modern drainage improvements to drain this excess water. Miami is looking to incorporate natural solutions and restore its habitat. In 2014 it completed a dune restoration enhancement project along the eastern portion of the city. The healthier and more robust dune system provides habitats for native species. It offers critical storm surge and erosion control protection. They are also looking to create living shorelines, increase the city's tree canopy, and restore green space where appropriate.

2 MUMBAI CITY OF INDIA

The financial capital of India is also at risk of being submerged by 2050.

With an average elevation of 14 meters above sea level, the city of Mumbai has the highest concentration of high-rise buildings in India. More than 7000 high-rise buildings have been constructed in the Mumbai metropolitan region. Most skyscrapers in Mumbai are residential, and it is the city with the seventh-highest number of skyscrapers in the world. It is interesting to note at this point that Mumbai is built on a chain of seven islands.

Scientists have approximated that by the end of this century, the number of people living below the forecast will be five to ten percent. Just as much of the southern parts of Mumbai may sink at least once a year below the projected high tide line. In a bid to manage the imminent rise in sea levels, the central government has given the go-ahead to the marahash shrub maritime boards project to create artificial reefs, dunes, and other defenses against the rising sea level across four coastal districts in the state. The plan is to use geo bags or some other alternative material to build artificial reefs 100 to 300 meters offshore to counter the balance of strong tides. Dunes will then be set up towards the landward end of 20 beaches, with plantations acting as the first line of defense.

3 KIRIBATI

The average height of Kiribati is less than two meters above sea level. According to current estimates, most of the country could be flooded by 2050. The island nation is one of the weakest countries globally, devastated by extreme climatic patterns of climate change. But the government is determined to meet the forecast by creating an emergency plan to protect its 110,000 residents. Half of them live in the capital, South Tarawa, a narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and a large pond that depends on freshwater.

Due to the rise in sea levels, Kiribatians have begun to emigrate; however, some people have chosen to stay back and look for solutions. In 2020 Kiribati president Tanetti Mamau disclosed the country's plans to raise its islands above sea level. This was to secure the nation's future in light of the impending rise in sea levels. Some towns have shifted a few meters inland. Mangroves have also been planted to protect the soil from erosion and mitigate storm surges. They have also considered building floating platforms just like petroleum companies or even concrete reinforced seawalls.

Unfortunately, both options have been ruled out because a platform of that magnitude would cost around 2 billion, which is 10 times Kiribati's GDP. However, the Kiribati government has bought land in Fiji to grow crops. It could also serve as a haven for its citizens. If the worst happens and they need to be evacuated, the world bank has also argued that Australia and New Zealand should allow open migration of people displaced by climate change from Kiribati and other pacific islands threatened by the sea. Until now, only the government of New Zealand has responded to the needs of Kiribatians. They allow 75 people to migrate to New Zealand per year.

4 OSAKA CITY OF JAPAN

Osaka, the former capital of Japan, has been an economic and commercial center for centuries. Osaka is the second-most populous city in Japan after Tokyo, at 37 meters above sea level. Osaka had a fair share of floods and hurricanes. In 2018, Kansai International Airport, located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, was flooded after a storm. The airport was closed, and about 3,000 passengers were stranded, causing severe damage. This caused great concern for the coast and the city, yet Osaka implemented many flood prevention methods such as seawalls, dams, flood gates, wells, and pumps. These help transport water from the subway and other areas at risk.

5 THE NEW YORK CITY

New York, the city of towers and skyscrapers!

It is the most populous city in the United States and is home to over 7000 completed high-rise buildings of at least 35 meters,. Still, with skyscrapers and whatnot, New York City has an elevation of 10 meters above sea level. This means that most of the city will be flooded as its highest natural point is 122 meters. This would have far-reaching consequences as the subways will be shut down, basements will be flooded, and electricity will be out.

This is just the tip of what will happen with all these in mind.

The city intends to prevent such incidents. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he wanted to create Manhattan Island in 2019. He would do this by extending it 152-meter to protect the Financial District and adjacent areas along the East River from rising sea levels. De Blasio recently invested $43 billion in a stormwater reconstruction budget, a portion of which was used to build new seawalls to test existing walls to raise sea levels.

New plans were also underway to build the new york harbor storm surge barrier—a barrier and floodgate system designed to protect the city from storm surges. Unfortunately, the project was indefinitely postponed due to a lack of funding regardless of extending the Manhattan coastline and the sea walls.

What do you think about the sea level rise in your location?

Is your area at risk of drowning in the coming decades?