rising sea levels
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Jakarta rapidly sinks as climate change and overdevelopment collide
Across the U.S. and around the world, coastal cities are grappling with rising seas and worsening floods.
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Credit: Raymond Kotewicz/Unsplash
Study says millions more are exposed to rising seas than thought
A new study in the journal Nature says most sea level rise research may have underestimated coastal water heights by an average of 1 foot or about 30 centimeters.
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Scientists see some risks of catastrophic climate events as lower but still concerning
Recent studies suggest that some worst-case climate scenarios, like the collapse of the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, are less likely than previously thought, though other threats like the collapse of the AMOC remain serious concerns.
In short:
- The Thwaites Glacier, also known as the "Doomsday Glacier," is still melting, but its rapid collapse is less likely within this century.
- Greenland's ice sheet is melting faster than expected, but it may be more resilient if global temperatures are controlled.
- Scientists continue to study the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which could collapse by 2050, leading to significant climate disruptions.
Key quote:
"Unfortunately, Thwaites Glacier is still going to retreat and with it most of the West Antarctic ice sheet, but not as rapidly as one scenario suggested."
— Mathieu Morlighem, professor of earth sciences, Dartmouth University
Why this matters:
Rising sea levels, driven by ice sheet melt and ocean circulation changes, threaten coastal cities and could lead to widespread displacement and severe weather changes. These scenarios remain potential global challenges despite some recent optimism.
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Louisiana's coastal parishes face financial challenges amid climate change
The town of Jean Lafitte struggles with rising sea levels, inadequate storm protection and soaring insurance costs as residents fight to preserve their community.
In short:
- Jean Lafitte's mayor, Timothy Kerner Jr., criticizes federal aid exclusions post-Hurricane Ida, impacting the town's recovery. He advocates for more federal support to protect the community.
- The town battles rising insurance premiums, with many residents unable to afford raising their homes to mitigate flood risks. The cost of lifting homes is prohibitive for most.
- Residents like Benny Alexia and Ian Terrio remain committed to their community, despite economic and environmental challenges, highlighting a deep cultural connection and resistance to relocation.
Key quote:
“If you don’t start to invest in protecting these people, and you don’t give them that aid, then when storms hit the response is going to be astronomically more over the years.”
— Timothy Kerner Jr., mayor of Jean Lafitte.
Why this matters:
Coastal communities like Jean Lafitte face increasingly severe climate impacts, leading to economic and social strains. Without adequate support, such areas risk losing cultural heritage and displacing long-time residents.
Read more: Louisiana eases insurance cancellations, raising concerns
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Rising sea levels make Texas Gulf Coast prone to frequent flooding
The Texas Gulf Coast faces increasing flooding due to rising sea levels and land subsidence, averaging 10.7 flood days a year compared to the national average of 6.8.
In short:
- The Texas Gulf Coast experiences more frequent flooding than other U.S. coastal regions, with an average of 10.7 flood days per year.
- Land subsidence and global sea level rise are primary contributors, exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions and natural resource extraction.
- Projections indicate significant future impacts, with up to six feet of sea level rise by 2100 potentially submerging many coastal areas.
Key quote:
“Over the last 30 years the rates of sea level rise along the Gulf Coast have been the highest in the nation, and it’s only going to accelerate. Beyond 2050 we’re talking beyond the goal posts, with the potential for some really big numbers if emissions don’t abate.”
— William Sweet, oceanographer at NOAA
Why this matters:
Increased flooding threatens infrastructure, including sewage systems and roads, and could render many communities uninhabitable. Increased storm severity and frequency mean that evacuation routes, emergency shelters, and disaster response plans are under constant pressure. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and low-income families, face heightened risks, often lacking the resources to recover quickly from such events.
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Rising seas lead to chronic flooding in Carolina Beach
In Carolina Beach, N.C., high tides and outdated infrastructure contribute to regular flooding, disrupting life in this coastal community.
Brady Dennis, Niko Kommenda, and Emily Wright report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Coastal flooding in Carolina Beach, N.C., is becoming more frequent due to rising sea levels.
- The town's stormwater infrastructure, built generations ago, is now often submerged by high tides.
- Researchers have documented flooding on Canal Drive on 60 days over the past year, far exceeding federal projections.
Key quote:
“The higher tides are lingering more often. When we do have an event, it’s multiple days.”
— Jeremy Hardison, planning and development director for Carolina Beach
Why this matters:
Rising sea levels and more frequent flooding threaten infrastructure and daily life in coastal communities. This persistent problem inconveniences daily life and raises significant environmental and health concerns. The flooding can contaminate local waterways with pollutants, posing risks to marine life and the health of beachgoers. The infrastructure, often overwhelmed by the rising waters, struggles to cope, exacerbating the situation.
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Climate change is erasing crucial Indigenous languages
A recent report highlights how climate change is accelerating the loss of Indigenous languages, which hold vital ecological knowledge.
In short:
- Indigenous languages, which encompass crucial environmental knowledge, are disappearing due to climate-induced migrations and environmental changes.
- Extreme weather and rising sea levels are forcing Indigenous communities to abandon their homelands, taking their languages with them.
- Efforts are underway to document and preserve these languages, as they offer unique insights into environmental conservation, but hampered by climate impacts and historical colonialism.
Key quote:
"Indigenous languages contain inventories of species, classification systems, etiological narratives, and, above all, ways of managing diversity, a fundamental technology for the preservation and biorestoration of the environment."
— Altaci Corrêa Rubim/Tataiya Kokama, University of Brasília
Why this matters:
The loss of Indigenous languages means losing critical environmental knowledge that can aid in combating climate change. Read more: Feeling “invisible”: How language barriers worsen environmental injustice.
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