John Englander, a renowned oceanographer and author, recently made a return appearance on the podcast “Sustainability In Your Ear” to discuss the critical issue of sea level rise. Englander, known for his groundbreaking books on the subject, including “High Tide on Main Street: Rising Sea Level and the Coming Coastal Crisis” and “Moving to Higher Ground: Rising Sea Level and the Path Forward,” shared his insights on the accelerating rate of sea level rise and its implications for society.
During a recent talk at the U.S. Naval Academy, Englander delivered a stark warning about the vulnerabilities of the Antarctic ice sheets, particularly focusing on the Thwaites Glacier, also known as the “Doomsday Glacier.” He emphasized that the collapse of the Thwaites Glacier could lead to significant sea level rise within the next few decades, with far-reaching implications for global military operations, coastal infrastructure, and international security.
Sea level rise, according to Englander, is a permanent change that humans will have to contend with for centuries, if not millennia, due to the oceans absorbing heat trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere. With average sea surface temperatures rising and the Arctic warming at an alarming rate, sea levels have already risen by several inches in recent decades. Englander also highlighted the potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a key driver of global seawater circulation, as a further threat to coastal areas and economies.
Englander co-founded the Rising Seas Institute, an organization dedicated to studying and raising awareness about the impacts of sea level rise. The institute recently became a program of Nova Southeastern University, further solidifying its commitment to advancing research and education on this critical issue.
As we grapple with the realities of climate change and its consequences, Englander’s work serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need to address sea level rise and its implications for our planet. Through continued research, education, and advocacy, we can work towards a more sustainable future for generations to come.
