CYMRAEG search COVID-19 (Coronavirus) For details on service changes visit our Coronavirus information and advice page. SEA LEVEL RISE Home / About the National Park / Sustainability / Sea Level Rise SHARE THIS A change to sea level is expected as our climate changes. This will happen because: As the climate warms it warms the seas and oceans. The water droplets will expand (get bigger), and so will occupy more space. Glaciers and polar ice are melting. Much of this water has been locked away for thousands of years. If polar ice and glaciers melt there will be more water. Where the ice has melted it leaves bare earth or sea. This absorbs the heat from the sun, but before the ice reflected the heat back into space. If the sea and land are warmer the climate will get warmer. Most people think that melting ice is the most important cause of sea level rise, but this is not true. It is the expansion of the sea water as it gets warmer that is causing the biggest change to sea levels. According to the UK Government’s UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2017, sea levels in the UK are rising by approximately 3mm a year. WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF SEA LEVEL RISES? Most of us don’t think that sea level rise will affect us much, but is that true? There will be a loss of coastal land. Beaches, roads, homes and businesses may disappear under the rising waters. Pembrokeshire depends on tourism for much of its prosperity. How will it manage if the beaches are gone? Think of the land between Penally and Tenby. Much of it is low-lying, and just above sea level. If sea level rises the dunes will disappear, the sea will flood the coastal road and the railway line from Tenby to Pembroke. There will be a loss of estuary land. It will only take a small sea level rise to flood the estuaries of the Cleddau Waterway. Many species rely on these habitats for food, and they will be lost. The estuaries are also places where people keep their boats. Imagine the pill at Neyland or the harbour at Pembroke Dock. How will they change? Bigger tides. Wales has one of the biggest tidal ranges in the world. This will increase as sea levels rise. How many places are affected by high tides now? High spring and autumn tides affect places such as Angle and Fishguard on the coast, but also reach far up the Daugleddau Estuary to flood Carew and even Haverfordwest. MORE ON SUSTAINABILITY MANAGING RESOURCES We are always trying to find different ways of working so that we use less resources. The world's resources are not limitless, and if we do not think ... READ MORE ON MANAGING RESOURCES CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change is often in the news today and it is thought by most scientists that humans are responsible for it. READ MORE ON CLIMATE CHANGE ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SUSTAINABILITY Find out how the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority tackles the issues of sustainability, climate change and sea level rise. READ MORE ON SUSTAINABILITY FACTS AND FIGURES Find out some fascinating facts that highlight what makes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park so special. READ MORE ON FACTS AND FIGURES ACCESS AND RIGHTS OF WAY We do our best to ensure that you have access to all the best bits, so around 1,000 km of the network of public rights of way in the National Park is ... READ MORE ON ACCESS AND RIGHTS OF WAY ARCHAEOLOGY The historic environment is part of what makes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park such a special place. People have lived and worked in the park fo... READ MORE ON ARCHAEOLOGY WILDLIFE Explore the amazing wildlife that makes its home on the Pembrokeshire Coast. READ MORE ON WILDLIFE HABITATS The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has many habitats which support a wide variety of wildlife; both common and rare. READ MORE ON HABITATS GEOLOGY When you think about the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park you may conjure up images of beautiful beaches, panoramic views from the Coast Path and qua... READ MORE ON GEOLOGY HISTORY In this section we invite you to travel back in time and explore the rich cultural history of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. READ MORE ON HISTORY CULTURE AND HERITAGE Pembrokeshire has a rich and diverse culture which has been shaped down the centuries by waves of invaders and settlers. READ MORE ON CULTURE AND HERITAGE GEOGRAPHY Explore the stunning geography of the Pembrokeshire Coast, which after all is the reason for Pembrokeshire being designated as a National Park. READ MORE ON GEOGRAPHY GET IN TOUCH Contact us and register your details to get the latest updates on what's happening in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. CONTACT US National Park Office Llanion Park Pembroke Dock Pembrokeshire, SA72 6DY Tel: 01646 624800 Email: info@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk VISITING Plan your visit Access for All Carew Castle and Tidal Mill Castell Henllys Iron Age Village Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre QUICK LINKS About the National Park Authority About the National Park Planning Contact Us News Jobs Accessibility Statement Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Cookie Policy Sitemap © 2021 Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Cookie settingsACCEPT