The 'flood.firetree.net" link, My Flood Maps as you call them, is really horribly inaccurate. It uses ground-level measurements as its source for 'being under sea-level at x m SLR' which is just wrong. I live in the Netherlands. We have waterways, and as you know, we have dikes and sluizen, waterkeringen. And we have dedicated underwater-areas for when levels go beyond manageable. But that is not what that map shows, it makes it seem most of NW of NL would be drowned as soon as SLR goes to +1m. No it will not. In fact, most of NL is capable of handling +5m perfectly fine. In fact, this already occurs at certain rare storm strengths from the NW. Anyway, just telling you this, because it annoys me to no end that we constantly see this map being used as a source for a narrative that doesn't jive with reality.
Great article as always. There's one subtle but important error in the numbers re energy consumption. The article you refer to relates to global *electricity* use, which is only a fraction of total energy consumption.
In 2020 wind and solar did provide >10% of electricity worldwide, but only a bit over 3% of total energy (source: Our World In Data). Fossil fuels (~80% of global energy) will be a mainstay of the global economy for many years to come, irrespective of how many windfarms we build and however much we might wish otherwise.
This was a very interesting read. I am curious about the choice to mix units -- 25 meter waves, 840 cubic miles -- instead of consistently using metric throughout (840 cubic miles as 3500 teraliters).
I've found Doggerland fascinating figure a long time now. Have you read the Stephen Baxter historical fiction series set there? It starts with Stone Summer I believe.
Wow, Mike what a delightful read! It is so difficult to wrap one's head around the magnitude of these mega-floods but you managed to make it tangible. more than that you made the lives of Doggerland tangible. Love it.
The 'flood.firetree.net" link, My Flood Maps as you call them, is really horribly inaccurate. It uses ground-level measurements as its source for 'being under sea-level at x m SLR' which is just wrong. I live in the Netherlands. We have waterways, and as you know, we have dikes and sluizen, waterkeringen. And we have dedicated underwater-areas for when levels go beyond manageable. But that is not what that map shows, it makes it seem most of NW of NL would be drowned as soon as SLR goes to +1m. No it will not. In fact, most of NL is capable of handling +5m perfectly fine. In fact, this already occurs at certain rare storm strengths from the NW. Anyway, just telling you this, because it annoys me to no end that we constantly see this map being used as a source for a narrative that doesn't jive with reality.
What a lovely reminder of how little I know! Thanks for all the graphics.
Great article as always. There's one subtle but important error in the numbers re energy consumption. The article you refer to relates to global *electricity* use, which is only a fraction of total energy consumption.
In 2020 wind and solar did provide >10% of electricity worldwide, but only a bit over 3% of total energy (source: Our World In Data). Fossil fuels (~80% of global energy) will be a mainstay of the global economy for many years to come, irrespective of how many windfarms we build and however much we might wish otherwise.
This was a very interesting read. I am curious about the choice to mix units -- 25 meter waves, 840 cubic miles -- instead of consistently using metric throughout (840 cubic miles as 3500 teraliters).
I've found Doggerland fascinating figure a long time now. Have you read the Stephen Baxter historical fiction series set there? It starts with Stone Summer I believe.
I think I shouldn’t have read this right before bed! Scary stuff!
Wow, Mike what a delightful read! It is so difficult to wrap one's head around the magnitude of these mega-floods but you managed to make it tangible. more than that you made the lives of Doggerland tangible. Love it.
Marvelous. I must travel again this year!
Riveting! I hope the wind farm developers can work with the archaeologists, sharing data and any finds, for the benefit of all.
Fascinating story!
This is AMAZING, Mike!!
EPIC!