International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 102-110 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 106 Some fishing methods cause physical damage to seafloor ecosystems, particularly bottom trawling. Bottom trawls drag across the seafloor, destroying important seafloor habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, affecting the structure and function of these ecosystems and reducing the breeding and habitat of marine life. 3 Impact of Rising Sea Levels on Human Society 3.1 Increased flood risk in coastal areas The increased risk of flooding in coastal areas has become one of the most immediate and serious problems in the consequences of global warming and sea level rise. As the earth's surface temperature continues to rise, the accelerated melting of polar ice caps and mountain glaciers, and the intensification of thermal expansion of seawater, have led to rising global sea levels. This series of interconnected natural processes, coupled with the impact of human activities, exposes coastal areas to unprecedented flood threats. Rising sea levels directly lead to an increased risk of flooding in low-lying coastal areas. As seawater intrudes, original flood protection measures become inadequate, leaving these areas more vulnerable to tidal and storm surge impacts. Especially when encountering tropical storms, hurricanes or other extreme weather events, rising sea levels make storm surges more destructive, leading to more severe flooding. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme climate events is also an important factor in increasing flood risk in coastal areas. Changing weather patterns due to global warming are increasing the likelihood of extreme precipitation events, meaning coastal areas may experience more frequent and intense rainstorms, causing flooding. In addition, heavy rainfall combined with rising sea levels increases the likelihood of river flooding, further exacerbating flood risks. Human activities, especially overdevelopment of coastal areas, exacerbate flood risks. During the process of urbanization, natural wetlands and other water-absorbent surfaces are replaced by impermeable materials such as concrete and asphalt, which reduces the ground's ability to absorb rainfall and increases runoff. At the same time, infrastructure construction in coastal areas often fails to fully consider the risks posed by climate change and sea level rise, resulting in insufficient flood prevention capabilities. 3.2 Coastal erosion and land loss Coastal erosion and land loss are major environmental problems facing many coastal areas around the world. They directly threaten the lives of coastal communities, the integrity of ecosystems, and the sustainability of economic development. Coastal erosion is a natural process, but due to the impact of human activities and the intensification of global climate change, this process has been significantly accelerated in many areas. The causes of coastal erosion can be divided into two categories: natural factors and human factors. Natural factors include wind, waves, tides, and rising sea levels. These forces continue to shape the coastline, transport sand, and change the coastal landscape. Among them, storm surges and strong wind waves are the main natural factors that cause rapid erosion, especially during tropical storms or hurricanes. Anthropogenic factors mainly include overdevelopment of coastal areas, construction of hard breakwaters, and changes in river runoff. These activities change the natural sediment cycle and flow patterns and intensify the erosion process. Coastal erosion has a range of impacts on coastal areas. The most direct impact is the loss of land, especially in low-lying coastal areas. The land is gradually eroded by seawater, leading to the loss of ecological habitats and affecting local biodiversity. For human communities, coastal erosion can lead to the loss of housing, infrastructure and farmland, threatening human safety and economic well-being. Coastal erosion will also lead to increased costs for coastal protection projects, such as the need to strengthen or rebuild breakwaters and seawalls (Tierolf et al., 2024). 3.3 Threats to coastal infrastructure and residential areas As global climate change intensifies and sea levels rise, coastal infrastructure and residential areas face unprecedented threats. These threats not only come from direct physical damage, such as floods and erosion, but
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