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US Cities Drowning: Sinking Land Meets Rising Seas
1 Jan
Summary
- Over half a million people in coastal cities face flood risk by 2050.
- New York and Chicago are sinking due to weight and groundwater extraction.
- Flood damages could reach $107 billion by 2050 without mitigation.
Many US coastal cities face significant flood risks by 2050 due to a dual threat of rising sea levels and sinking land. Over half a million residents in cities like New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Miami are vulnerable. Without mitigation, potential damages could exceed $107 billion, disproportionately affecting low-income and minority communities.
The alarming rate at which cities are sinking is a critical factor, often overlooked in previous forecasts. New York is reportedly sinking under the weight of its massive buildings, while Chicago is experiencing subsidence due to "underground climate change" and resource extraction. These issues, combined with global warming-induced ocean expansion, exacerbate coastal flooding.
Addressing this crisis requires immediate action, including limiting groundwater and natural gas extraction to prevent further land subsidence and investing in robust coastal defenses. Globally, subsidence is a widespread issue, with Indonesia already planning to relocate its capital from sinking Jakarta.
