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Coastal Cities Face Submergence: Climate Change Impact by 2050
The escalating effects of climate change are causing a substantial increase in sea levels, and a recent report indicates that by 2050, numerous global cities risk being submerged, including one in the UK. The study, conducted by the research organization Climate Central, utilized data from reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to assess the potential severity of these impacts, revealing alarming results concerning major cities and coastal regions.
European Cities at Risk
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is among the cities facing potential inundation. Regions of the Netherlands already lie six meters below sea level. Despite the nation’s expertise in flood defense strategies, the pace of sea level rise has more than doubled compared to the 20th Century – a concerning development.
Peterborough, UK
While it’s simple to dismiss the seriousness of climate change if you are not immediately impacted, the report highlights that a UK city is also at risk of submergence within the coming decades. Peterborough and the adjacent Cambridgeshire region are under threat from rising levels in the North Sea, affecting the River Nene.
These projections suggest that Peterborough may become uninhabitable. Furthermore, Wisbech, Ramsey, Chatteris, and Manea could also be endangered by flooding, according to diverse coastal flood maps.
Asian Cities in Danger
Bangkok, Thailand
In Asia, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, has over 10% of its inhabitants residing on land that could be underwater by 2050. The city is situated just 1.5 meters above sea level and is currently sinking.
Compounding the problem, Bangkok is built on dense clay soil. Certain districts such as Tha Kham and Samut Prakan could be underwater as early as 2030.
Global Vulnerability
Additional cities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas are at risk of being engulfed by rising sea levels due to climate change. These metropolitan areas require immediate action to address the potential devastating effects.
Top 10 Cities Potentially Submerged by 2050
The following is a list of metropolises predicted at greatest risk due to rising sea levels:
- Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Venice, Italy
- Bangkok, Thailand
- New Orleans, United States
- Kolkata, India
- Miami, United States
- Shanghai, China
- Male, Maldives