Rising Seas: Flooding, Climate Change and Our New World. Updated and Expanded Second Edition

This year of record-setting global temperatures that scientists know is helping to fuel raging wildfires, devastating floods, and more frequent and severe storms is a good time to bring out an updated edition of the 2018 title, Rising Seas. (www.cmreviews.ca/cm/vol24/no27/risingseas.html) Since water covers “more than two-thirds” of the earth, we can easily accept that it affects all life. Consequently, warmer temperatures that lead to sea level rise will mean the potential displacement of millions of people living in coastal areas. As in the previous volume, the author describes how human use of fossil fuels has led to that rise in temperatures, why and how this affects sea levels, and identifies countries whose land and people are most likely to be impacted as a result.

Eighteen locations are the focus of close examination of their high risk for future catastrophe due to sea level rise. New to this book are London, Ho Chi Minh City and Manila. One of the most stunning parts of the first edition is included again: as the 2018 review pointed out, dramatic photo illustrations show “sea water swallowing up iconic structures such as the high rises along Miami Beach, New York’s Statue of Liberty, and Mumbai’s historic Gateway to India monument. In particular, the cover illustration of Liberty up to her waist in water will attract attention, and is a strong motivator for the curious reader to open the book.” Use of bold colors—yellow and teal—enhance the visual appeal. Descriptions of each location’s particular issues appear in ‘Here and Now’, and ‘Fast Forward to the Future’ segments. Sidebar details show current population, height above sea level, an estimate of how many people will be affected by 2100 by sea level rise. Options for action include creating forms of protection, adaptation and relocation.

Along with the Glossary, additional pages offer explanations of the Carbon Cycle, the Water Cycle, and a comparison of the effects between global warming of 1.5° C or 2°C (the range discussed by world leaders). Resources include books, websites, videos and relevant documentary movies.

Recent studies have shown “climate anxiety” is a growing concern, especially for younger generations. The book acknowledges this with a chart on page 7 and a double spread on pages 64-65, “Living in the Climate Emergency”, that shares a list of ways to promote a healthy mental attitude with positive thinking. “Good Reasons for Hope” is a 1928-2070 timeline of CFC/ozone hole progress. Repeated from the first edition, “What You Can Do” offers 10 suggestions for kid-accessible actions. Young readers may have come across similar lists, but the suggestions about saving electricity and water and buying locally bear repeating if only to drive home the message that we all need to keep working toward the common goal of lowering emissions. The author does not sugarcoat the outcome, however. While “the Earth’s average temperature and oceans will still continue to rise” even if we could stop harmful emissions, we may be able to limit “how high the water climbs by 2100”.

Rising Seas: Flooding, Climate Change and Our New World is human-centred, of course, but sea level rise would have serious consequences for animals and plants as well. This aspect is given a few brief specific references—the Bayou Savage National Wildlife Refuge (New Orleans), a shark sanctuary (Marshall Islands), and tiger habitat (Bangladesh)—but there’s only a general statement about the impact of an increase of 1.5° C on insect, plant and animal habitats. Perhaps this is a missed opportunity to leave youthful readers with additional motivation for reducing carbon emissions through a stronger reminder that we are only one of many species sharing the planet and facing the peril.

The updated edition will ensure this valuable book stays visible longer as a timely resource for more young readers.