Rising Tides

Gr 9 Up—Rising sea levels cause flooding, erosion, property damage, and destruction of wetlands and fresh water aquifers. The threat is very real for the United States, as 39 percent of the country's population lives on the coastline. Because of commerce and high costs, working toward solutions is usually met with resistance and bureaucracy. Many articulate experts and scientists in this documentary explain why the levels are increasing and provide possible solutions. No one answer fits all, but there are options, such as retreat (actually moving buildings back from the shoreline), concrete barges that reduce the energy of waves, and beach restoration. Writer/codirector Jason Auerbach researched his subject well, but his narration is sometimes muffled owing to his delivery (he trails off at the end of some statements). Because sea level rise is a global issue, the DVD spreads itself thin trying to highlight examples throughout the world. Overall, though, the subject is explained in terms students will understand, with several visual examples and expert graphics.