There are empty lowlands in Australia and Iran like Dasht-e Lut. If we fill these lands with ocean water then could we reduce the global sea level and save coastal cities like venice?
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$\begingroup$ The math scales in Did we ever record a reduction in sea level when the Panama canal was constructed? may have some applicability $\endgroup$– JeopardyTempestNov 27, 2020 at 16:33
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$\begingroup$ I doubt that would help subsidence of costal cities built on silt and peat. Although most of these cites have stopped pumping fresh water out of underlaying aquafers . Maybe pump sea water into these aquifers to compensate for subsidence ? $\endgroup$– blacksmith37Nov 27, 2020 at 17:31
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$\begingroup$ What fraction of dry land is below sea level? $\endgroup$– Keith McClaryNov 29, 2020 at 3:53
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$\begingroup$ Do you want to pump the water once, or continuously keep pumping? $\endgroup$– GimelistNov 29, 2020 at 4:17
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$\begingroup$ Continuously keep pumping. $\endgroup$– Droid GahNov 29, 2020 at 22:15
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Based on calculations of the effect of melting ice on sea level, we know that to effect a 1 mm change in global sea level requires around 360 km3 water. The largest lake by volume, Lake Baikal, contains just under 24,000 km3 of water. So if you created an equivalent lake you would lower sea level by 66 mm. At current rates of global sea level rise that would offset less than 20 years of melting ice and thermal expansion.
