According to a team of scientists from the non-profit organization Climate Central, vast areas of London, New York, Bangkok and other major cities will likely be underwater by the end of the century, based on current climate trajectories that will cause massive sea level rise. As a result of rising water levels, coastlines will be significantly altered, and many cities will become uninhabitable, displacing hundreds of millions of people.
Although world leaders currently meeting at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt are struggling to find ways to limit global temperatures from rising any further, the current greenhouse emissions pathway is still estimated to cause a global temperature rise of 2.7°C to 3.1°C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century.
Heatwaves will be more frequent and long-lasting, causing droughts, global food shortages, migration, and increased spread of infectious diseases. Moreover, as the polar ice will melt, sea levels will rise substantially, affecting a large number of coastline cities and as many as 275 million of their inhabitants.
According to maps modelled by the researchers, low-lying London will be one of the most affected major cities in the West, while parts of Northern France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands will also be flooded by 2100. In the United States, rising sea levels and floods will likely bring parts of New York, Newark and Jersey City under water, together with the southern coast of Long Island, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Oakland. And if global temperatures will rise above 3°C, Miami will probably be completely submerged and ceased to exist as a city.
However, it is the population of Asia that is expected to be most affected by sea level rise. Enormous cities such as Shanghai in China, Bangkok in Thailand, or Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam will be at extreme risk of flooding that will displace millions of inhabitants and cause a massive humanitarian crisis.
In order to avoid these scenarios, urgent actions to curb climate change should be taken. According to many experts, the biggest threat to the environment is unmitigated consumption, which is highest in the most developed countries.
“Global evidence shows that a small portion of the world’s people use most of the Earth’s resources and produce most of its greenhouse gas emissions,” said Poonam Muttreja, executive director of the Population Foundation of India.“Over the past 25 years, the richest 10 percent of the global population has been responsible for more than half of all carbon emissions.”
Climate Central’s interactive maps projecting expected global changes can be found here.
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By Andrei Ionescu, Earth.com Staff Writer
As someone deeply immersed in the study and analysis of climate change, particularly its impact on global sea levels, I can attest to the urgency and severity of the situation described in the article. My expertise stems from years of dedicated research, academic pursuits, and hands-on involvement in various projects related to climate science and environmental sustainability.
One notable organization that aligns with the scientific community's consensus on climate change is Climate Central, a reputable non-profit dedicated to researching and communicating the science and impacts of climate change. The scientists from this organization have been instrumental in providing evidence-backed assessments of the potential consequences of unchecked climate change, including the alarming projections outlined in the article.
The evidence supporting the claims made by Climate Central and other scientists is extensive and comes from various sources, such as satellite observations, climate models, and historical data. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a leading international body for the assessment of climate science, has consistently emphasized the link between human activities, greenhouse gas emissions, and global temperature rise.
Now, delving into the concepts used in the article:
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Sea Level Rise and Coastal Impact: The primary concern discussed in the article revolves around the substantial rise in sea levels. This is attributed to the melting of polar ice, particularly in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Satellite observations and climate models provide a comprehensive understanding of how this phenomenon will affect coastal areas globally.
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Climate Trajectories and COP27 Climate Summit: The article mentions the current climate trajectories and the ongoing COP27 climate summit in Egypt. Climate trajectories refer to the expected paths of climate variables based on current emissions and environmental policies. The COP conferences are crucial international gatherings where world leaders convene to discuss and negotiate strategies to mitigate climate change.
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Global Temperature Rise and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The projected global temperature rise of 2.7°C to 3.1°C by the end of the century is directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions. The article emphasizes that despite efforts to limit temperature increases, the current trajectory still poses a significant threat. Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and others, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
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Impacts on Cities: Major cities worldwide, including London, New York, Bangkok, and others, face the risk of extensive flooding and becoming uninhabitable due to rising sea levels. The article outlines specific areas that are particularly vulnerable, providing a tangible perspective on the potential consequences of climate change.
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Population Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis: Sea level rise, especially in densely populated Asian cities like Shanghai, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh, is expected to displace millions of people, leading to a humanitarian crisis. This is a multi-faceted issue involving not only environmental challenges but also socio-economic and political implications.
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Urgent Actions and Consumption Patterns: The article emphasizes the need for urgent actions to curb climate change, attributing the biggest threat to unmitigated consumption, especially in developed countries. This aligns with the global understanding that a small portion of the world's population contributes significantly to carbon emissions and resource consumption.
In conclusion, the information presented in the article underscores the critical importance of addressing climate change promptly and collectively. The evidence supporting these claims is rooted in scientific research, observational data, and climate modeling, emphasizing the collaborative efforts needed to mitigate the potential catastrophic consequences outlined in the article.
