Environmental Outlook: Rising Sea Levels

In this Jan. 20, 2010 file photo, waves pound a wall near buildings in Pacifica, Calif., during a rain storm. A new federal report gives the West Coast its best look yet at what to expect from rising sea levels due to climate change. The report issued by the National Research Council on Friday, June 22, 2012 says Southern and central California can expect sea levels to rise in a range of about three feel over the next century, while Northern California, Oregon and Washington can expect the range to be less -- around two feet.
(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

In this month’s environmental outlook, a look at rising sea levels and what’s at stake. Whether it’s caused by natural variability or human activity, the fact remains that sea levels are rising. The U.S. Geological Survey recently estimated that the Eastern Seaboard -- coined a "hotspot" by scientists -- will rise to four feet by 2100. A separate study by the National Research Council says ocean levels on the California coast could rise by three feet by the end of the century. Diane and her guests look at the causes and consequences of rising sea levels.

Guests
Dr. Ben Strauss - Chief Operating Officer and Director of the Program on Sea Level Rise, Climate Central.
Jessica Grannis - Staff Attorney and Adjunct Professor, Georgetown Climate Center and Georgetown University Law Center.
Dr. Asbury Sallenger - Oceanographer, U.S. Geological Survey
Philip Mote - Professor, Oregon State University