The debate over rising sea levels often stirs panic. Yet, instead of focusing on practical solutions, many governments and global institutions continue to push policies that do little more than regulate, tax, and stifle innovation. If we are serious about preparing for environmental challenges, we need to think less about centralized mandates like ESG and more about resilience, property rights, and human ingenuity.
Imagining a “Waterworld” Scenario
The 1995 film Waterworld imagined a future where Earth is almost entirely submerged. While fictional, it does raise legitimate questions:
- What happens to international water laws and property rights if entire islands, or even nations, are swallowed by the sea?
- How should societies adapt if land becomes increasingly scarce?
Some nations have already experimented with artificial islands, proving that technology and creativity can solve many geographic challenges. If we face a future with more water, then decentralization—not government overreach—will be the key to survival.
Practical Solutions vs. ESG Mandates
One of the great ironies of the climate debate is that even if we accept the direst predictions, ESG frameworks and carbon capture schemes make little sense. At best, they might slow what is already happening, but they do not prepare humanity for resilience.
Real solutions could include:
- Expanding nuclear energy (decentralized, smaller-scale facilities rather than massive centralized plants).
- Building more boats and floating homes that could function like mobile housing.
- Repurposing cruise ships into floating apartment buildings instead of luxury vacation liners.
These are commonsense adaptations. Yet regulations and ESG mandates make it nearly impossible for the market to respond to actual demand.
Mastering Desalination
If a “waterworld” scenario ever comes to pass, the greatest challenge will not just be where people live, but what they drink. Rising seas mean we would be surrounded by saltwater, which is undrinkable in its natural state.
That’s why desalination—the process of turning salt water into fresh water—must become a core survival strategy. Current desalination methods are energy-intensive and costly, but necessity would demand breakthroughs. Investing in smaller, decentralized desalination systems powered by renewable or nuclear energy could provide families and communities with independence from government bottlenecks.
Mastering desalination would ensure that, even if land becomes scarce and people are living on boats or artificial islands, humanity can still sustain itself. Just as Noah prepared for the flood by building the ark, Christians today should recognize the importance of preparing wisely for a future where water is abundant but drinkable water is scarce.
Property Rights and Rising Seas
If sea levels rise by 10 meters (roughly the height of a 3–4 story building), millions of people may be displaced. The bigger legal challenge will be water laws and property rights.
Who owns submerged land? Who has docking rights when land becomes scarce? How will international borders be respected—or redrawn—when coastlines vanish?
These questions are far more pressing than endless bureaucratic debates over carbon credits. And history shows us that humanity adapts best when governments step out of the way.
A Christian Perspective
As Christians, we believe that God created this world and governs its cycles. If He desires to send drought, floods, or rising seas, then so be it—our responsibility is to prepare with faith and wisdom.
The Bible reminds us: “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). If God allows a “waterworld,” then perhaps humanity must innovate in ways we cannot yet imagine—technology that flies, floats, or submerges may not be beyond our reach.
But one thing is certain: fear-driven centralization is not the answer. God calls us to resilience, not dependence on political institutions. We should reject ESG and government mandates that enslave people to artificial frameworks, and instead trust in God while embracing creativity, stewardship, and freedom.
Conclusion
If the seas rise and homes are lost, governments will move on quickly. It will be individuals and families who must adapt. The danger is not rising water—it is government interference that prevents people from meeting new demand with productive solutions.
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today. Governments, institutions, and policies will fail, but God’s Word endures forever. True resilience begins not with carbon markets or regulations but with faith in the Creator who holds the oceans in His hands.
