Rising Ocean Levels Tied to Global Warming May Have Exacerbated Tidal Waves' Destructive Power

Interview with Ross Gelbspan, journalist and author, conducted by Scott Harris

The destructive power of nature is horrifyingly clear in the aftermath of the earthquake-born tsunami which devastated South Asia and parts of Africa on Dec. 26. The giant waves that struck coastlines from Sri Lanka to Thailand, killed over 140,000 people and destroyed cities, in addition to much of the region's civil infrastructure. In the wake of the disaster, many scientists and government officials are now calling for an early warning system in the Indian Ocean that could alert coastal communities of future tidal waves.

But some climatologists warn that rising sea levels tied to global warming may have exacerbated the damage caused by the tsunami, and have made low-lying coastal areas across the globe vulnerable to flooding, severe erosion and eventual submersion. According to the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the levels of the world's oceans rose on average by 4-8 inches during the 20th century, with an additional rise of 3 inches to 2 1/2 feet expected by the year 2100. Poorly planned shoreline development, the destruction of mangrove swamps and coral reefs have also played a role in weakening the natural defenses of coastal areas.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Ross Gelbspan, a veteran journalist and author of two widely acclaimed books on global warming, "The Heat Is On," and "Boiling Point." Gelbspan talks about the relationship between climate change, rising ocean levels and the destructive power of nature unintentionally released by humankind.

Ross Gelbspan's most recent book is titled, "Boiling Point: How Politicians, Big Oil and Coal, Journalists and Activists are Fueling the Climate Crisis -- and What We Can do to Avert Disaster." Visit his website at www.heatisonline.org

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