The ocean waves (波浪) are getting stronger as a result of climate change, which might cause dangers for coast cities in the future, according to the latest study published in the scientific journal Nature. Researchers found that waves have increased in strength by 0.41 percent per year since 1948. This change is related to the increasing sea-surface temperature, which is driving sea level to rise and bringing more serious and extreme weather.
This relationship is important, as it shows that "global wave power can be a valuable reminder of global warming, carbon dioxide concentration, the global sea level rise or the global surface atmosphere temperature," said director of research at the Environmental Hydraulics Institute at Spain's University of Cantabria.
The study reveals a long-term and increasing wave energy. The effects of this increase are particularly clear during the storm seasons. A storm was formed in the winter of 2013-2014 in the North Atlantic, which affected the west coast of Europe. "The storm in 2017 in the Caribbean reminded people of the huge economic effects coming from coastal storms," said the study.
Researchers hope the findings could provide a more complete understanding of the dangers faced by coastal cities in the coming decades. "Our results show that ignoring the changes in wave power and having sea level rise may cause us to think little of climate change, which will result in not enough or poor preparation," warned the author Fernando J. Mendez, a professor at the University of Cantabria.
The findings may warn governments to better protect the population in the coastal cities and infrastructure (基础设施) such as ports and harbors by building coastal defenses.
