Almost 1,100 critical infrastructure assets in the US face the risk of monthly flooding by 2050, with 934 at risk every other week.
Coastal communities, including California and Florida, need urgent resilience measures or relocations to avoid becoming unlivable.
Disadvantaged communities, with higher proportions of Black, Latino, and Native American residents, are most at risk.
Key quote:
“Failing to prioritize resilience solutions in these communities risks reinforcing the harmful legacy of environmental racism and colonialism in places already grossly underserved and overlooked.”
— Juan Declet-Barreto, senior social scientist for climate vulnerability at UCS
Why this matters:
Rising sea levels will increasingly threaten homes, schools, and vital infrastructure, especially in marginalized communities. Without urgent action, the frequency and severity of floods will worsen existing social inequalities and force mass relocations.
The Outer Banks are home to beautiful beaches, historic sites, and native wildlife. It's also a vacation destination for thousands each year. But it's all in jeopardy. The islands are being consumed by the ocean, and fast.
A coalition of 93 environmental groups, aquariums and outdoor recreation brands is urging the Biden administration to harness the power of the ocean to fight climate change, according to details shared exclusively with The Climate 202.
