New York City: A Future Underwater? Understanding the Risks
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Chapter 1: The Dangerous Myths Surrounding Sea Level Rise
Recently, I came across a perplexing tweet that I felt was worth discussing, as you might encounter similar arguments from those on the far-right. The anonymous user questioned whether I genuinely believed New York City might someday be submerged by ocean waters. My response was straightforward: "It's simple math—temperatures rise, ice melts, oceans swell. No exaggeration."
To my disbelief, their retort was one of the most absurd claims I've seen: "Actually, sea levels decrease when ice melts, not increase. Water expands when frozen." I believe it's essential to address why this argument is not only misleading but also perilous.
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Section 1.1: Recognizing Common Misinformation
First and foremost, this statement is a classic example of a right-leaning, anti-science rhetoric that dismisses climate change. It’s a narrative I've encountered multiple times, and you likely have too. When a particular talking point is repeated verbatim by numerous individuals, it often indicates a coordinated effort—possibly stemming from a viral post on Facebook or WhatsApp.
Intelligent discussions are characterized by original arguments backed by credible data. In contrast, fundamentalists tend to regurgitate party lines, regardless of the truth.
Section 1.2: Distinguishing Facts from Falsehoods
Consider if the tweeter had claimed, "Sea levels actually go down when ice melts because melted ice turns into vapor." The initial falsehood is apparent, but the follow-up statement contains a scientific truth. Yes, water's volume does increase when it freezes, but this fact is misused to support a flawed argument.
While it’s true that ice expands, it doesn’t mean that melting ice leads to lower sea levels.
Section 1.3: The Importance of Critical Thinking
Geographically, ice serves two primary functions: it floats on water and rests on land. It does not linger at the bottom of the ocean or hover in the atmosphere. For the tweeter’s claim to hold water, all global sea ice would need to be either submerged or floating at the ocean's surface, which is simply not the case.
Imagine a pool brimming with water and a three-foot layer of ice on your patio. As the ice melts, it shrinks in volume, but that won’t stop the water from overflowing onto your patio. The same principle applies on a global scale, particularly concerning the vast ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica.
Chapter 2: The Motives Behind Misinformation
The first video titled "NYC is Under Water" delves into the potential future of New York City as it faces rising sea levels. It highlights the alarming realities of climate change and the consequences of inaction.
The second video, "NYC Underwater: The Day Nature Rewrote the Record Books," examines how severe weather events can drastically alter the landscape and the stakes involved in ignoring climate science.
Section 2.1: Who Benefits from Climate Denial?
It's crucial to ask, "Who benefits?" Who stands to gain by convincing the public that sea levels will not rise? The answer often points to fossil fuel companies, real estate investors in low-lying areas, and others with vested interests in maintaining the status quo.
While I can't say for certain that the tweeter is a real estate investor or a corporate shill, many individuals and organizations profit from perpetuating doubt about climate change. The truth is, countless Americans, from those in real estate to fossil fuel industries, have a stake in denying the reality of rising sea levels.
Section 2.2: Staying Focused Amidst Misdirection
When I challenged the anonymous user, they quickly shifted the conversation, claiming that the world doesn’t flood permanently when it rains, and that water levels have remained stable for centuries. However, I never made such a claim.
This is where it’s vital to remain focused on the original argument. Instead of getting sidetracked by irrelevant points, keep hammering home the truth: when substantial amounts of land ice melt, sea levels inevitably rise.
New York City sits approximately 33 feet above sea level. If all the world's ice were to melt, estimates suggest that sea levels could rise by around 230 feet. Given current trends, it appears we are headed in that direction.
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