The air current is generated where colder air masses from the Arctic meet warmer air masses from the tropics. The Northern Hemisphere's polar jet stream is a fast-moving belt of westerly winds that blow through the lower layers of the atmosphere. For example, storm surge associated with Hurricane Sandy resulted in billions of dollars of damage to coastal homeowners, businesses, and transportation infrastructure. Many places are already experiencing its effects. Sea level rise and associated storm surges pose significant threats to human lives and infrastructure, especially in these vulnerable and densely populated coastal areas. 1 About 40 percent of the world’s population lives within 100 km of the world’s coasts. If greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase on their current trajectories, scientists project that global sea level may rise by an additional 0.3–1.3 meters (1 to 4 feet) by 2100. Between 20, melting Arctic glaciers, ice caps, and the Greenland Ice Sheet contributed 1.3 mm (0.05 inches)-more than 40 percent-of the total global sea level rise observed each year. Over the past two decades, sea level has risen globally at a rate of 3.1 mm (0.12 inches) per year on average. The pace of sea level rise is increasing. According to measurements from a variety of sources, the average global sea level has risen about 20.3 cm (about 8 inches) since 1901. As this ice melts, much of it ultimately flows into the sea, adding volume to the world’s oceans. The Arctic’s melting land ice and glaciers contribute to the sea level rise happening around the world. This affects ocean circulation patterns around the globe, with potentially strong coastal effects. As glaciers in the Arctic melt, the Arctic Ocean is being flooded with freshwater.
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