Chinese sea levels hit record highs in 2016 caused by ‘climate change’
CHINESE coastal sea levels hit record highs in 2016, driven by climate change as well as El Nino and La Nina events, the country's sea administration said.
Climate change drove Chinese coastal lea levels to hit record highs in 2016
According to an annual report published on Wednesday by China's State Oceanic Administration, average coastal sea levels in 2016 were up just under half an inch compared to the previous year, and saw record-breaking highs in the months of April, September, November and December.
“Against the background of global climate change, China's coastal air and sea temperatures have soared, coastal air pressure has fallen and sea levels have also soared,” it said.
It warned that high sea levels would lead to problems like coastal erosion as well as more frequent and severe typhoons.
Weather phenomenons el nino and la nina explained
A State Oceanic Administration report warned high levels would lead to problems like coastal erosion
It added that vulnerable coastal regions needed to step up their flood prevention efforts by improving drainage systems and building dykes and dams.
China's coastal air and sea temperatures have soared
Underground water extraction also needed to be cut in order to ease the risk of subsidence.
China's coastal waters have risen a tenth of an inch per year since 1980, higher than the global average increase over the period.
The sea administration also said it could lead to more frequent and severe typhoons
Sea temperatures over the 1980-2016 period have been rising by an average of 0.21 degrees Celsius per decade.
The administration said at a press briefing on Wednesday that marine disasters caused 60 deaths and direct economic losses of 5 billion yuan (£580 million) in 2016. It also warned that marine pollution remained severe.