Birds on the Brain

A new U.S. Geological Survey report published Sunday says that sea levels are rising three-to-four times faster along parts of the U.S. east coast than they are globally. “Since about 1990, sea-level rise in the 600-mile stretch of coastal zone from Cape Hatteras, N.C. to north of Boston, Mass. — coined a “hotspot” by scientists — has increased 2 - 3.7 millimeters per year; the global increase over the same period was 0.6 - 1.0 millimeter per year,” the U.S. Geological Survey said in a news release. “Based on data and analyses included in the report, if global temperatures continue to rise, rates of sea level rise in this area are expected to continue increasing.” Among other things, the USGS said, the sea level rise will make coastal cities more vulnerable to flooding. (via Sea Level Rise Accelerating On East Coast: Government Study | TPM Idea Lab)