Warming oceans mean bigger & more powerful waves that  get whipped higher by monsoon winds

AP GWADAR (Pakistan)

Gwadar is the centerpiece of a massive Chinese-led initiative in Pakistan  to create an overland route between its western Xinjiang region and the Arabian Sea through it. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been poured into the town to create a deep seaport, an international airport, expressways and other infrastructure.

Yet this city, with about 90,000 people, built on sand dunes and bordered by the Arabian Sea on three sides, is facing the  risk of sinking into the rising sea water due to climate change. "It's no less than an island nation situation," warned Gwadar-based hydrologist Pazeer Ahmed. "Many low-lying areas in the town will be partially or completely submerged if the sea level continues to rise." The sea, once a blessing for Gwadar's fishing and domestic tourism sectors, has become an existential threat to lives and livelihoods.

Warming oceans mean bigger and more powerful waves, and those waves get whipped higher by summer monsoon winds. Warmer air holds more moisture -- about 7% more per degree Celsius (4% per degree Fahrenheit) - and that means more big rain events. "Waves have become more violent due to the rising sea temperatures and eroded beaches," said Abdul Rahim, deputy environment director at Gwadar Development Authority. "The tidal actions and patterns have changed. Hundreds of homes have been washed away. It is very alarming."

In areas near Gwadar, like Pishukan and Ganz, waves have swallowed up mosques, schools, and settlements. There are gashes in the cliffs at the popular picnic spot of Sunset Park, and rocks have cascaded onto the shore. Beaches run flat for dozens of kilometers because no structures remain on it. Authorities have built seawalls from stone or concrete to hold back saltwater intrusion. But they're a small solution to a massive problem as Gwadar's people and businesses are fighting climate change on different fronts.