High Tide On Main Street: Rising Sea Level and the Coming Coastal Crisis

by John Englander

Overview

First published in 2012, High Tide on Main Street blazed a new trail in understanding the driving forces behind climate change and its most profound, unstoppable, and least-understood effect, Sea Level Rise (SLR).

In easy-to-understand language, oceanographer and explorer John Englander explains how SLR will become the most permanent effect of climate change. By focusing on sea level, he also provides excellent insights into greenhouse-gas emissions: the forces driving severe climate change.

One reviewer said: "the most understandable book on climate change I have read to date."

While we are already feeling the effects of disastrous climate change in the form of forest fires, extreme weather, droughts, and floods - we are just beginning to feel the effects of SLR.

Sea level rise, unlike weather events, is permanent, and the science is clear. SLR is increasing faster than at any time in recorded history. And is increasing at an increasing rate. We could see several feet of SLR by 2050, and 5-10 feet (1.5 to 3m) by 2100.

The science is also clear that due to excess heat already stored in our oceans, the sea will continue to rise for hundreds and hundreds of years. Coastal property will go underwater. First, financially, and then, literally.

High Tide On Main Street not only explores the science, but also investigates the devastating economic impacts almost every industry will suffer.

But, far from being a "doom and gloom" vision of the future, Englander introduces five points of "intelligent adaptation"; in effect a blueprint for accepting what is to come and a comprehensive plan for dealing with the inevitable coastal crises.

John's second book on the same topic, Moving to Higher Ground, Rising Sea Level and the Path Forward, will be published on April 6, 2021.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780615637952
Publisher:	Science Bookshelf
Publication date:	10/22/2012
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.53(d)

About the Author

John Englander is an oceanographer and global ocean explorer with expeditions under the polar ice cap, deep dives in research submarines and visits to Greenland and Antarctica. His mission is to be a clear voice on our changing climate and oceans. Mr. Englander's broad marine science background coupled with majors in Geology and Economics allows him to see the big picture on climate and look ahead to the large scale financial and societal impacts, particularly as they relate to sea level rise. For over 30 years, Englander has been a leader in both the private sector and the non-profit arena, serving as CEO for such noteworthy organizations as The Cousteau Society and The International SeaKeepers Society, and The Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO). He is now President of the Sea Level Institute, working with businesses, government agencies, and communities to understand the financial risks as increasing severe storms and long term sea level rise challenge us to adapt to a shoreline that will move inland for centuries. Mr. Englander is a Fellow of the Institute of Marine, Engineering, Science and Technology, and The Explorers Club. He is a member of the American Geophysical Union and several other scientific societies. He blogs at www.johnenglander.net

Table of Contents

High Tide on Main Street; Rising Sea Level and the Coming Coastal Crisis

Table of Contents

Foreword: Jean-Michel Cousteau

Preface: Post-Sandy Second Edition

Introduction: Governor Christine Todd Whitman

Chapter One: Aboard the Titanic

Chapter Two: Earth's 612-foot Elevator

Chapter Three: A Billion to a Million Years Ago

Chapter Four: A Million to 6,000 Years Ago

Chapter Five: Past 6,000-8,000 Years

Chapter Six: The Present and Future (2000 - 3000 A.D.)

Chapter Seven: On Thinning Ice

Chapter Eight: CO2 and You

Chapter Nine: Sources of Confusion

Chapter Ten: Why Projections Underestimate

Chapter Eleven: A Few Feet-What's the Big Deal?

Chapter Twelve: Miami, Manila and Much More

Chapter Thirteen: Property Values Go Underwater

Chapter Fourteen: Defend or Retreat

Chapter Fifteen: Intelligent Adaptation

Chapter Sixteen: New Technology and Political Will

Chapter Seventeen: Moving to Higher Ground

Afterword

Resources and Links

References

Figures, Illustrations and Photos

Index

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

★ 04/22/2013
Englander provides a cogent and sobering glimpse at the effects of rising sea levels that is underway and will persist for at least a thousand years. Sea levels have been relatively stable in civilized history, but with carbon dioxide levels at a 15 million–year high, history shows that sea levels will rise 50 feet from current levels, assuming no further warming. By avoiding rhetorical frenzy, Englander gives more credence to the dire scenarios he outlines; e.g., the widespread disappearance of glaciers, possibly within decades, may eliminate water supplies for more than a billion people. The elimination of heat-reflecting ice will speed up the warming process, with major changes in global weather patterns. With the destruction of whole nations possible, an OECD study envisioning damage of trillion—twice the 2010 U.S. GDP—in 136 port cities worldwide by 2070 seems secondary. Englander's copious citations, graphics, and glimpses of scientific thinking illustrate the persuasive extent of evidence to support his thesis. The author sees no simple way or magical technology to slow sea level rise, but urges the absolute need to begin planning for unavoidable changes. Few who read this challenging primer will venture to disagree.

Publishers Weekly

"A careful, clear, and absolutely devastating portrait of our folly!"

- Bill McKibben, Founder of 350.org

"This brilliantly-written book commands our attention to the challenges we face as sea level rises at rates unknown to modern humankind. It is a pleasure to recommend this very readable and persuasive book."

- Dr. Robert (Bob) Corell, former National Science Foundation Assistant Director

"'High Tide on Main Street' is a courageous book that looks squarely in the face of a problem far greater than most of us dare to imagine. John Englander's writing is clear and accessible, employing vivid metaphors and avoiding technical jargon, making it easy to grasp a fascinating scientific story...

- Dr. Ben Strauss, Climate Central

"Englander provides us a fair warning. Disastrous collapse of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets can be avoided only if the public pressures our ... leaders to rapidly phase out fossil fuels."

- Dr. James Hansen, renowned climatologist; former Director of NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies

"Read this book... the clearest statement to date about the frightful reality of accelerating sea level rise and the catastrophic impacts... a crisis beyond anything civilization has encountered.

- Dr. Harold R. Wanless, Chair of Department of Geological Sciences, University of Miami

"If you own coastal property or know someone who does, you better read this now! The time coastal property values start collapsing is nigh."

- Joseph Romm, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress; Editor, ClimateProgress.org

"An excellent read. This book provides a synthesis of the state-of-the-art scientific understandings of sea level- past, present and future, and paints a clear picture of the implications for us and for future generations."

- Dr. Ralph Rayner, Editor in Chief, Journal of Operational Oceanography; Professor, London School of Economics

"We owe it to ourselves to read this book and learn all that we can to be actively engaged in a sustainable future. With knowing comes caring, with caring comes hope and with hope the possibility of a better future."

- Jean-Michel Cousteau, President of Ocean Futures Society

"...First time anyone has clearly explained that greenhouse gases are not just accelerating climate change, but have actually changed the natural ice age cycles of the last three million years, and why that should matter "

- Daniel Kreeger, Executive Director, Association of Climate Change Officers

From the Publisher