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A large proportion of the world's population lives along ocean shores. In this exercise, you will examine how an increase in sea level will affect the shore and the people who live there.

Sea levels are on the rise, probably for the next several hundred years.

1) Find the predicted sea levels 100 years from now and 1,000 years from now for the coastline nearest you. If your state has an ocean shore, show on a map where the new shoreline will be.

2) Write a few paragraphs on how a rise in sea level could affect the coastal population (economics, hardships of citizens) and the look of the shore.

Poster should include: Map of current shoreline, map of shore line 100 years from now & map of shoreline 1000 years from now.

1. Find maps of your state that show elevation above sea level and population density. Read what scientists are predicting for sea level rise. You will need to address these questions.
   • What rise in sea level is predicted for the next 100 years? The next 1000 years?
   • How will sea level rise affect the coast? Will the shore be steeper or shallower? How could that affect beaches and flooding frequency?
   • Is the coast densely or sparsely populated? What important features, human or not, will disappear under the waves?
2. To find predictions for sea level rise, check these sites.
   • Sea Level Rise Reports
   • Sea Level Rise
3. To find elevation and population maps of your state or province, check this site.
   • Census Population Profile Maps
4. To read about the consequences of a rise in sea level, check these sites.
   • Hazards of Sea Level Rise
   • Coastal Zones and Sea Level Rise