Rising Seas by Laguna Beach High Students

The Sea Level Rise Educational Installation by LBHS students was a part of the Laguna Art Museum’s Art & Nature event in November 2nd through 5th 2017. It consists of three 4x6 ft. plywood boards, with effects of sea level rise illustrated on one side; information on sea level rise on the reverse side.

Illustration 1
A 2017 United States Geological Survey estimates that without concerted
intervention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as much as 67 percent of
Southern California’s beaches could be lost to rising seas by the end of this
century resulting in tidal damage, flooding, inundation, and extreme waves.

Illustration 2
Sea level rise will effect public access and recreation due to loss of beach areas
where sand cannot migrate inland due to development; these sites could become
inaccessible due to flooding and erosion.
No stretch of California’s coastline will be spared and addressing this threat will
cost a staggering amount of public and private money.

Illustration 3
Experts predict climate-driven sea-level rise could elevate the water in coastal
areas up to 10 feet in just 70 years, overwhelming beach fronts and low-lying
cities.
Water quality could decline due to inundation of toxic soils and an increase in
non point source pollution, resulting in crippled economies, compromised public
safety, submerged infrastructure, and a forced retreat from our coast.