Final answer:
Vancouver is facing challenges associated with sea level rise, a consequence of climate change, and is actively planning infrastructure improvements and policy changes. These plans include both proactive and defensive strategies to protect the city, adapt to rising sea levels, and mitigate further damage by addressing carbon emissions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sea level rise is a significant impact of climate change, with research showing that global sea levels have risen approximately 230 mm since 1880, and projections suggest an additional rise of approximately 0.5 m by 2100. Coastal cities like Vancouver, BC, face challenges due to this rise, particularly during storm surges that exacerbate the situation, leading to potential destruction of human-made structures.
In response to these concerns, municipalities like Vancouver have begun to outline infrastructure and policies to protect against future sea level rise. Strategies may include the construction of sea walls, redesigning sewage and stormwater systems, and updating building codes to account for increased risks. Considering the long-term aspects of sea level rise that are anticipated due to the melting of polar ice caps and increasing ocean temperatures, cities are looking toward both proactive and defensive measures. These can range from reforestation initiatives to the development of new housing plans in locations less vulnerable to flooding.
Considering the estimation of sea level rise potential from complete melting of Greenland and Antarctica, which amounts to a rise of approximately 7.4 m from Greenland, 58 m from Antarctica, and 0.3 m from other glaciers, cities are urgently planning for these long-term shifts. Therefore, Vancouver's plans are likely to align with the broader trends of adapting existing urban areas to be more resilient in the face of rising sea levels while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions to slow down the rate of climate change.