Lesson 4: Global Climate (reading)

Key facts from the article

• Global sea level in 2016 was about 82 mm higher than the 1983 average.
• Projections suggest a rise of 0.2 to 2 metres by 2100.
• Coastal flooding has increased in many regions compared with the mid-20th century.
• An estimated 275 million people live in low-lying coastal zones exposed to floods, and most of the world's megacities are in coastal areas.

The two mechanisms of sea-level rise

From cause to response

• International agreements aim to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, but their ability to slow sea-level rise remains uncertain.
• Adaptation therefore becomes critical: amphibious architecture and large-scale coastal defence systems are being implemented in flood-prone regions.
• The article's conclusion: both mitigation and adaptation are essential.

True or False — with answers

1. Sea-level rise projections for 2100 range from 0.2 to 2 metres. → T
2. Thermal expansion of seawater is the only cause of rising sea levels. → F (there are two linked mechanisms)
3. Most of the world's largest cities are far from coastal areas. → F
4. Amphibious architecture is one example of an adaptation strategy. → T
5. Climate migration could lead to population displacement. → T

Vocabulary completion — with answers