New York and San Francisco risk sinking into the ocean and face significant flood risks by 2050
A recent study revealed that 32 major cities in the United States, including New York and San Francisco, risk sinking into the ocean and facing significant flood risks by 2050. The study, conducted by researchers at Climate Central and published in the journal Nature Communications, found that these cities are sinking due to rising sea levels and subsidence, which is the gradual sinking of land. The study highlights how the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events, endanger coastal cities. In addition to New York and San Francisco, other at-risk cities include Miami, New Orleans, Houston, and Boston.
The researchers warn that if these cities do not take action to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to rising sea levels, millions of residents face catastrophic flooding and displacement. The study emphasizes the urgency of implementing measures to protect these cities from the impacts of climate change, such as improving physical infrastructure, building sea walls, and enforcing zoning regulations to limit development in high-risk areas. Overall, the study serves as a stark reminder of the need for immediate action to address the growing threat of climate change and its impact on coastal cities.
“Climate Central communicates climate change science, effects, and solutions to the public and decision-makers. Climate Central is an independent group of scientists and communicators who research and report the facts about our changing climate and how it affects people’s lives.”
“Nature Communications is an open access, multidisciplinary journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research in all areas of the biological, health, physical, chemical, Earth, social, mathematical, applied, and engineering sciences. Papers published by the journal aim to represent important advances of significance to specialists within each field.”
(Source: Turner, Ben. “32 U.S. Cities, Including New York and San Francisco, Are Sinking into the Ocean and Face Major Flood Risks by 2050, New Study Reveals.” LiveScience, Future US, Inc., 6 Mar. 2024, www.livescience.com/planet-earth/climate-change/32-us-cities-including-new-york-and-san-francisco-are-sinking-into-the-ocean-and-face-major-flood-risks-by-2050-new-study-reveals.)
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A non-stationary, risk-based approach for determining design flood elevations under sea level rise
The American Society of Civil Engineers‘ article “What Role Does Sea Level Rise Have in Facility Design Elevations?” discusses the impact of sea level rise (SLR) on facility design elevations. With the threat of rising sea levels due to climate change increasing, civil engineers must consider SLR when designing infrastructure. The article highlights the importance of considering projections for future sea level rise when designing buildings, bridges, and other structures. By incorporating higher elevation requirements into design standards, engineers can ensure that infrastructure remains resilient in changing environmental conditions.
The article also emphasizes the need for collaboration between engineers, planners, and policymakers to develop strategies that address the challenges posed by sea level rise. By working together, stakeholders can create innovative solutions that mitigate risks and ensure the long-term sustainability of infrastructure. In summary, the article underscores the critical role of sea level rise in facility design elevations and calls for proactive measures to address this growing threat. Civil engineers must prioritize resilience and sustainability in design practices to protect infrastructure from the impacts of climate change.
D.J. Rasmussen, Ph.D., Aff.M.ASCE, is an applied climate scientist in the Earth & Environment hub in the San Diego office of WSP USA.
This article is published by Civil Engineering Online. It is based on a conference paper, “A non-stationary, risk-based approach for determining design flood elevations under sea level rise,” presented at the 2023 ASCE INSPIRE Conference.
The content provided in this article is for general informational purposes only.
(Source: D.J. Rasmussen, Ph.D., Aff.M.ASCE. “What Role Does Sea-Level Rise Have in Facility Design Elevations?” Civil Engineering Source, ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers, www.asce.org/publications-and-news/civil-engineering-source/civil-engineering-magazine/article/2024/03/what-role-does-sea-level-rise-have-in-facility-design-elevations. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.)
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Climate change is projected to impact the rise of sea levels significantly. As global temperatures continue to rise, the polar ice caps and glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate. This influx of melted ice is gradually causing sea levels to rise, threatening coastal communities and natural habitats worldwide. The melting of polar ice caps and glaciers contributes to rising sea levels by adding more water to the oceans. This increased volume of water can lead to flooding in low-lying coastal areas, damaging infrastructure and displacing communities. In addition, the influx of saline water can intrude into freshwater sources, jeopardizing agricultural lands and drinking water supplies.
Rising sea levels can also exacerbate the impacts of storm surges and high tides, leading to more frequent and severe coastal inundation events. These events can cause erosion of coastlines, loss of habitats, and damage to infrastructure assets and the built environment, threatening human and ecological communities. In conclusion, climate change will continue exacerbating the rise in sea levels, significantly impacting coastal communities and ecosystems. Adaptation and mitigation strategies are essential to address these challenges and safeguard the future of our planet.
ClimaTwin® is a leading climate risk intelligence solution for infrastructure assets and the built environment.
We empower infrastructure stakeholders to mitigate climate risks and assess adaptation actions across the total asset lifecycle. By connecting complex climate models and infrastructure digital twins, our solution enables owner-operators, investors, governments, engineers, and other decision-makers to aggregate, visualize, and analyze disparate datasets, revealing site-specific insights at a hyper-local scale. Benefits include 5-10x near-term returns and lifetime cost-avoidance by mitigating risks to systems, services, and societies.
To learn more about climate risk intelligence for your infrastructure assets, please visit www.climatwin.com today.
