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Cities at risk as sea levels rise and land sinks
Coastal cities are facing a dual threat: rising sea levels and the sinking of their land, a phenomenon known as subsidence, which could drastically increase flooding and damages by 2050.
In short:
- An extensive study in Nature reveals that subsidence could cause 500 to 700 square miles of additional U.S. coastal land to flood by 2050, affecting hundreds of thousands more people.
- Coastal cities are sinking at alarming rates, with 24 of the 32 studied cities subsiding more than 2 millimeters a year, doubling the risk of flooding.
- Current coastal defense strategies are inadequate, underestimating the urgency needed to address this compounded risk of sea-level rise and land subsidence.
Key quote:
"The combination of both the land sinking and the sea rising leads to this compounding effect of exposure for people."
— Leonard Ohenhen, environmental security expert at Virginia Tech.
Why this matters:
This phenomenon has profound implications for public health and safety, especially in underserved communities lacking the resources to adapt. Understanding and addressing both sea-level rise and subsidence is essential for future urban planning and disaster preparedness, illustrating the intertwined challenges of climate change and urbanization.
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