As I have already read, the sea level is rising, also on our Belgian coast. To what extent is that, or when should owners of apartments located on our coastline start to worry? In other words, if this increase becomes significant, it is possible that those apartments will lose their value for sale within a certain time. Or am I being a bit too pessimistic about all this?
Answer
The sea level on our Belgian coast has risen by about 15 cm in the past 85 years (data from the Coastal Department – Agency for Maritime Services and Coast). At the moment – also in our neighboring countries – there is an average increase of 3 mm per year. And according to the current scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the global sea level rise will rise by a maximum of 80 cm by 2100. In other words: at the moment, with the current knowledge and models, there is not the slightest reason for panic or foreboding for our coastal zone. In addition, the authorities are working hard on a safe coastal defense that can easily withstand a sea level rise of up to one metre. Only if it ever turns out that the land ice on Greenland and/or Antarctica is also going to melt en masse, should this answer be completely rewritten.
Answered by
dr. Jan Seys
marine and estuarine sciences
Wandelaarkaai 7 8400 Ostend
http://www.vliz.be
.