Final answer:
Nuisance flooding has increased by an estimated 200-300% in the last 50 years due to sea level rise, which is largely attributed to climate change, with higher temperatures causing thermal expansion of ocean water and melting of ice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The direct answer c: 200-300%.
However, a comprehensive explanation is required to understand this phenomenon. Sea level rise is a pressing issue that has been accelerated due to climate change. Since 1880, sea levels have risen about 230 mm, and similar or greater rates of rise are projected by 2100. While a quarter-meter rise in sea levels over the past century may seem insignificant on calm days, the combination of storms, high tides, and heavy waves can dramatically increase the impact on human settlements near coasts. This is mainly due to thermal expansion of warmer water and melting of land ice which contributes to higher sea levels.
Areas with low elevation like Bangladesh are particularly vulnerable; half of Bangladesh could be flooded with just a three-foot rise in sea level. Coastal cities worldwide face significant risks, and even a one-meter rise can be catastrophic for their management and infrastructure systems. Global warming induces thermal expansion of ocean water and melting of glaciers, which is projected to accelerate the rate of sea level rise in the coming decades.
It's important to note that even with a cessation of CO₂ emissions, sea level rise is expected to continue due to the momentum of climate change. Warming temperatures contribute to the melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, although the specific contributions of these to sea level rise are still being researched.