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GLACIAL ICE SHEET, GREENLAND - JULY 17: David Shean a Ph.D. student at the University of Washington (R) and Scientist Ian Joughin of the University of Washington place a GPS system into the ice on July 17, 2013 on the Glacial Ice Sheet, Greenland. Joughin and his fellow scientist, Sarah Das, from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution use the Global Positioning System sensors to closely monitor the evolution of surface lakes and the motion of the surrounding ice sheet. As the sea levels around the globe rise, researchers affiliated with the National Science Foundation and other organizations are studying the phenomena of the melting glaciers and its long-term ramifications. In recent years, sea level rise in places such as Miami Beach has led to increased street flooding and prompted leaders such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to propose a $19.5 billion plan to boost the citys capacity to withstand future extreme weather events by, among other things, devising mechanisms to withstand flooding. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)