This is what sea level rise will do to coastal cities

Summary

The video script discusses the imminent threat of sea level rise due to climate change, with a focus on coastal cities like New York and Miami. It highlights the potential for four feet of sea level rise by 2100 and the economic and infrastructural challenges this poses. The script also covers New York's ambitious $10 billion plan to protect Lower Manhattan and the reality of climate migration, emphasizing the urgency and the need for proactive measures to safeguard coastal areas.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Rising sea levels are a significant concern for coastal cities, with some expected to experience dramatic changes within the next 100 years.
• 🧊 Melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are likened to unplugging freezers, indicating that the process of sea level rise is irreversible.
• 🌍 Climate Central predicts a minimum of four feet of sea level rise by 2100, based on current greenhouse gas emissions.
• 🏙️ Coastal cities like Miami are already experiencing the effects of sea level rise, with water regularly flooding city streets during high tides.
• 🏠 The impact of sea level rise is not only environmental but also economic, as property values in some areas have dropped due to increased flooding.
• 📊 The Surging Seas visualizer by Climate Central illustrates the potential impact of sea level rise on various coastal cities around the world.
• 🌉 New York City has unveiled an ambitious plan to fortify lower Manhattan against rising sea levels, with an estimated cost of 10 billion dollars.
• 🛡️ The plan includes building land out into the East River and installing flood gates to protect against storm surges and regular flooding.
• 💡 The urgency for climate adaptation measures is driven by the economic importance of areas like Lower Manhattan, which houses a significant portion of New York City's jobs and subway lines.
• 🏞️ Some communities in the U.S. are already relocating due to rapidly eroding coasts, highlighting the reality of climate migration.
• 📈 The threat of sea level rise is not distant; it is happening now and will continue to accelerate, affecting infrastructure, property values, and coastlines.

Q & A

What is the potential impact of sea level rise on coastal cities like Florida, New York, Venice, and Alexandria in the next 100 years?

Coastal cities are expected to undergo significant changes due to sea level rise. Florida's beaches and wetlands, as well as cities like New York, Venice, and Alexandria, which have watery boundaries, may look very different in 100 years as sea levels continue to rise.

What does Ben Strauss, CEO of Climate Central, describe as the inevitable outcome of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere?

Ben Strauss states that the world is guaranteed to see at least four feet of sea level rise by 2100, based on the greenhouse gases that have already been emitted into the atmosphere.

How does the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica relate to the sea level rise?

The melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica is likened to unplugging rows of freezers. Once these 'freezers' are unplugged, they will continue to melt, contributing to the sea level rise.

According to the UN, how many people live in coastal areas less than 30 feet above sea level?

The UN reports that over 600 million people live in coastal areas that are less than 30 feet above sea level, making them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise.

What is the potential sea level rise expected by the end of this century according to some scientists?

Some scientists, including Ben Strauss, are expecting a sea level rise of 10 to 20 feet or more by the end of this century if further greenhouse gas emissions continue.

What is happening in Miami that indicates the current impact of rising sea levels?

In Miami, water is already sliding across city streets during high tides, which is a physical sign of the current impact of rising sea levels.

How has climate change affected real estate values in some neighborhoods in the United States?

In some neighborhoods in the United States, real estate values have evaporated due to the increased frequency of floods that were previously rare or non-existent.

What is the Surging Seas visualizer created by Climate Central, and what does it show?

The Surging Seas visualizer is a tool created by Climate Central to demonstrate how coastal cities will fare as the climate heats up. It shows how melting ice could push shorelines inland for cities like New York, New Orleans, Shanghai, and Lagos.

What is New York City's ambitious plan to protect Lower Manhattan from sea level rise?

New York City has unveiled a plan to fortify Lower Manhattan by building outland into the East River by 50 to 100 feet. This is a preventative measure to keep water away from residential and commercial areas.

How much is the estimated cost of New York City's plan to protect Lower Manhattan from sea level rise?

The estimated cost of New York City's plan to protect Lower Manhattan from sea level rise is 10 billion dollars.

What are some of the unique challenges that cities face due to sea level rise?

Cities face unique challenges such as regular flooding of streets during high tides, impacts on underground infrastructure, subway tunnel flooding, and building foundation corrosion due to sea level rise.

What is one of the strategies New York City is considering to protect against sea level rise, aside from building out into the river?

New York City is considering installing flood gates at critical places that would flip up during a flood to keep water out of low-lying land.

What is the economic significance of Lower Manhattan, and why is it a priority for protection against sea level rise?

Lower Manhattan is an economic center of New York City, with one in ten jobs located there and 75% of subway lines passing through it. Protecting Lower Manhattan is crucial to maintaining the city's economic vitality.

What is the current reality of climate migration in the United States, and what does it indicate for the future?

Climate migration is already a reality in the United States, with two communities in Alaska and Louisiana relocating due to rapidly eroding coasts. A 2018 study indicates that as many as 311,000 houses in the U.S. will be vulnerable to chronic flooding by 2045.

Why is it unlikely that cities like Manhattan would be moved due to sea level rise?

Moving a city like Manhattan is not feasible due to the concentration of human lives and economic activity. Instead, it is expected that significant investments will be made in defending these areas against sea level rise.

How does the speed of sea level rise pose a danger, and what is the analogy used to explain this?

The speed of sea level rise is dangerous because it can quickly disrupt infrastructure, property values, and coastlines. The analogy used is that a bullet is not dangerous when held or thrown slowly, but its speed when fired makes it lethal, similarly, the rapid change in sea levels is what makes it a threat.