But some investments, such as those being proposed in Florida, cannot be applied everywhere. So, what can be done? Are these cities and countries doomed, or can they be saved?Ĭountries that invest in infrastructure, such as the Netherlands, may be able to avoid some effects of flooding. cities that are most vulnerable to coastal flooding are in the Sunshine State. According to Climate Central's research, 36 of the 50 U.S. However, in terms of susceptibility to flooding, Florida seems certain to be the state that is hit hardest. Andrew Cuomo said at the time, according to Politico. At least 43 people in the city died as a result of the superstorm, around a quarter of a million vehicles were destroyed, and there was at least $32 billion worth of "damage and loss," then-Gov. The report states that, by 2050, nearly half a million (426,000) New Yorkers will be living on "threatened land." New York's vulnerability to flooding was seen clearly in 2012, when the city was heavily impacted by Hurricane Sandy. New York City is most at risk, according to research from Climate Central. coastline, high-tide flooding is now 300% to more than 900% more frequent than it was 50 years ago," which suggests that sea levels are a valid cause for concern. cities could face serious issues by 2050, with vast swathes of land potentially rendered unlivable.Īccording to NOAA, "in many locations along the U.S. Rising sea levels are also likely to majorly impact the United States. (Image credit: AsianDream via Getty Images) According to the World Economic Forum, by 2100, Dhaka, Bangladesh (population 22.4 million) Lagos, Nigeria (population 15.3 million) and Bangkok, Thailand (population 9 million) could also be entirely drowned or have vast tracts of land underwater and unusable.Ī flooded street in a poor residential district in the heart of Jakarta city in Indonesia. In fact, Jakarta's situation is so dire that it is being replaced as Indonesia's capital by Nusantara, a soon-to-be built city on the east coast of Borneo, around 1,200 miles (2,000 km) from Jakarta.īut Jakarta is far from the only city with an uncertain future. According to the World Economic Forum, much of Jakarta could be underwater by 2050. When coupled with rising sea levels, this is a recipe for disaster. Jakarta, home to around 10 million people, has been dubbed the "fastest-sinking city in the world" by the BBC it is sinking by 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) each year due to "excessive groundwater drainage," according to, a nonprofit environmental organization based in Hong Kong. One of the most clear-cut examples of rising sea levels causing significant, real-world difficulties is Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. While no country is likely to be devoured by 2100, numerous major cities are at very serious risk of being inundated. So, while various countries around the world are set to see the consequences of rising sea levels firsthand by the end of the century and many millions will be affected, it seems unlikely that any countries, even those with very low elevations, will disappear entirely by 2100 - though it could be just a matter of time before some are consumed by the ocean. Other countries subject to face major issues related to rising sea levels include Bangladesh, where 32 million people will be at risk by 2100, and India, with 27 million, according to the European Union-funded Life Adaptate project. The country where the most people will potentially be affected by sea level change is China, with 43 million people in precarious coastal locations. So what larger nations might be hit hardest? These Pacific islands, though very much in jeopardy, tend to have relatively small populations. Sea level rise has already led to the disappearance of at least five "vegetated reef islands" that were previously part of the Solomon Islands, with "a further six islands experiencing severe shoreline recession," according to a 2016 study in the journal Environmental Research Letters. Around 3 million Pacific islanders live within 6.2 miles (10 km) of the coast and, therefore, might need to relocate before the end of the century, according to the Science and Development Network, a nonprofit focused on facilitating scientific learning. In fact, nearly everyone who lives on a Pacific island is likely to be severely affected by rising sea levels. (Image credit: niromaks via Getty Images) Note the coastal defenses already in place. The rising sea levels are a threat to Male, the Maldivian capital.
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