Coastal Mega-Cities In For A Bumpy Ride

As global climate change increases in severity and its short- and long-term effects become more and more obvious and undeniable, we are sure to see the emergence of large displaced populations of climate change refugees. The low-lying coastal cities of the world are particularly at risk, due to the risk of rapidly rising sea-levels worldwide, resulting from polar ice cap collapse.

NEW YORK – About 643 million people, or one-tenth of the world’s population, who live in low lying coastal areas are at great risk of oceans-related impacts of climate change, according to a global research study to be released next month.The study, by researchers at Columbia University’s Center for International Earth Sciences Information Network and the London-based International Institute for Environment and Development, is the first of its kind. The researchers identified populations, particularly urban populations, at greatest risk from rising sea levels and more intense storms due to climate change.

“Of the more than 180 countries with populations in the low-elevation coastal zone, 130 of them — about 70 percent — have their largest urban area extending into that zone,” said Bridget Andersen, a research associate at CIESIN, in a statement.

“Furthermore, the world’s largest cities — those with more than five million residents — have on average one-fifth of their population and one-sixth of their land area within this coastal zone.”

The study, which will be published in the peer-reviewed journal Environment and Urbanization, assesses the risks to populations and urban settlements along coastal areas that are less than 10 meters above sea level, referred to as the low-elevation coastal zone…

Posted by ShiftShapers
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