An inevitable rise in sea levels
Global warming will lead to sea levels rising by at least one meter during the 21st century. Many coastlines will be impacted around the world with irreversible consequences for coastal inhabitants. Here’s an overview of where to avoid buying property…
Mapping out the risks
A ‘Nature’ study published in 2019 created a risk map using the year and different warming scenarios. This interactive tool created by researchers shows that 300 million people could face annual floods by 2050.
Below sea level
There are different scenarios that depend on the rise in sea level, the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions and how much the Antarctic ice sheet melts. But 150 million people will live below sea level in all scenarios, compared to 110 million today.
Protect nature and the people
While they’re currently protected by dykes or mangroves, coastal inhabitants will have to build new developments or move away from the coasts. The race against time has already begun.
France will be affected
By 2050, a million inhabitants in France alone could be impacted. In mainland France, a 50 centimeters rise in sea level is very likely to take place by 2080-2100, flooding a large portion of the coastline.
Threats on the Channel coast
The Channel and North Sea coasts would be hit hard, particularly in Pas-de-Calais and Seine-Maritime.
The Atlantic coast is also in danger
The Atlantic coast won’t be spared either, especially in Charente-Maritime and Gironde. There are several possible coastal erosion solutions: developing the coast to monitor erosion, relocate populations towards Bordeaux, or maintaining the existing coastline with civil engineering projects.
A considerable impact on the North Sea
From northern France to western Denmark, and from the east coast of England to the Netherlands, rising sea levels will impact the North Sea coasts for decades to come. A significant portion of the Netherlands will have to be redeveloped in order to remain habitable.
Venice under water?
The magical Italian city famous for its canals will be at the forefront of the rising sea levels. Will Venice as we know it disappear? The city is already facing a dilemma between keeping tourism revenue and preserving the city.
Risks in Guiana
The South American Atlantic coast will also suffer the consequences of rising sea levels. French Guiana will be affected, as well as northeastern Brazil, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Farewell to dream destinations
Further north, Cuba and the Bahamas will face the negative impacts of rising sea levels. Their sunny skies and sandy beaches are at a significant risk of disappearing, which will impact their economies that are largely powered by tourism.
The United States and rising sea levels
In the United States, there will be significant ramification for Southern coasts if nothing is done to curb global warming. The first victims will be Florida, a populous state that attracts millions of tourists annually, and Louisiana, which has already been significantly impacted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Floods in Africa
Scientists predict that Mozambique will be the African country that’s the most impacted by rising sea levels. The country has several major cities on the coast of the Indian Ocean. But Tanzania, Nigeria, Senegal and Mauritania won’t be spared either.
Persian Gulf tsunami
Scientists have declared a gigantic area North of the Persian Gulf spanning thousands of kilometers between Iraq and Iran to be at risk for flooding. Future floods will undoubtedly lead to significant population displacements.
High-alert in East India
East India, particularly near Calcutta and Bangladesh, undoubtedly faces the greatest risk. Hundreds of millions of people live in the area, and an uncontrolled rise in sea level would have significant ramifications for the region and the rest of the world.
Southeast Asia is also at risk
The densely populated coasts of Thailand (around the capital Bangkok), Vietnam (around Hanoi and Ho-Chi-Minh-City), Malaysia and certain Indonesian islands will also face the consequences of rising sea levels.
Submerged China
Chinese coastlines are among the most threatened, especially around cities like Shanghai or Tianjin. Hundreds of millions of lives are at stake. How will the Chinese government mitigate this risk?
Risks in Korea and Japan
Finally, several regions of North and South Korea and Japan are predicted to feel the impacts of rising sea levels, especially in the Japanese cities of Nagoya and Osaka.
The time to act is now
If rising temperatures seems irreversible in the short term, it makes it all more necessary and urgent to take actions in order to limit global warming and its devastating effects. To learn more the impact that these changes will have on your area, check out the website ‘Surging Seas: Risk Zones.’
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