How would societies respond if oceans were to rise. Constructing levees and dikes is an option. The NL., after all, has flourished more than 12 ft. below sea level for hundreds of years.

If the nations of the world take immediate action, the destruction of the global environment can be slowed substantially. But some irreversible damage is inevitable. Even if fossil-fuel emissions are cut drastically, the overall level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will still increase — along with the likelihood of…