Science predicts that Hanoi and dozens of other cities will “live with floods” if the Earth warms up to 3 degrees Celsius

Amid the climate crisis, sea levels are rising faster than at any time in the past 3,000 years. However, it is up to us how quickly and how much higher the sea level will rise.

A new study and visualization from the nonprofit research group Climate Central show just how obvious those changes are. Realistic visualization illustrating what would happen in 50 major coastal cities if the world adhered to its climate commitments, with the emissions cuts needed to keep global warming within 1 ,5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

If the world fails to do so, the land where 10% of the Earth’s population lives will need to make “unprecedented global” changes to cope with rising seas or the risk of ocean damage. 

That said, it’s not easy to picture what this is like. We invite you to take a look at the places most vulnerable to sea level rise and the opportunities we have if we limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius from the current rising trajectory of more than 3 degrees C.

Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Created in collaboration with researchers at Princeton University and Germany’s Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, the new project shows that some areas of the world could be wiped out completely if not reduced. large emissions. But by meeting the highest goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, the world could reduce the damage from sea level rise by about half.

The report also looks at the long-term impact on the world’s coastlines. The process of increasing the temperature will take centuries to take place. Even if we could cut all emissions to zero immediately, the climate system would still warm enough to melt more ice, raising sea levels by 1.9 meters over the next few centuries. . Of course, if it doesn’t change things will get much worse.

Statue of Liberty, New York

If world leaders did not drastically curb greenhouse gas pollution, instead allowing the planet to be 3 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels, the construction surrounding the Statue of Liberty in New York City could be completely underwater. Sea level rise will also affect 2.4 million people in the city.

There are about 460,000 people living at or below the current high tide mark in the city. The report suggests that number would rise to 830,000 people at a temperature of just 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. But limiting warming could allow us to slow the rate of increase and find ways to adapt to a more watery life.

Space Center Houston

The maps show that in addition to the threat to human life, infrastructure will be threatened by sea level rise. If emissions continue to rise, the land around the Houston Space Center could be completely flooded.

NASA is working on plans to tackle the climate threat to its space hubs, including sea level rise and other risks like hurricanes, but the more carbon emissions the world emits. the higher the danger level.

Paradise Island, Bahamas

The image above shows the future of Paradise Island in the Bahamas. This popular tourist destination is home to more than 16,000 people, but it’s certainly not the only island that is critically endangered.

The report found that many small island nations are at risk of losing almost all of their land to the climate crisis. Among them are the Maldives, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, the Cayman Islands, Tokelau, Tuvalu, the Cocos Islands and the Bahamas. With temperatures warming by 3 degrees Celsius, there is a risk that 90% of current residents’ homes will be completely flooded. Even if the temperature rises “only” 1.5 degrees Celsius, more than 60% of residents are in danger.

Mumbai, India

Some places will be completely submerged with temperatures rising by 3 degrees Celsius. That level of warming will affect all of Mumbai’s 13 million residents. The image above shows the probable fate of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya museum in Mumbai, India.

Previous studies have made similar findings: a United Nations climate report from August found that sea levels are expected to rise by nearly 1 meter in and around Mumbai by 2050.

Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos is a growing megacity of Africa, at risk of being inundated with rising sea levels. The findings suggest that up to 8.7 million people could be inundated in Nigeria if emissions are not reduced. The surrounding islands as well as the city center will disappear under the water.

Nigeria and other developing countries are in a particularly vulnerable position because they lack the funds to adapt to sea level rise.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is on a path to be completely reshaped by sea level rise. This video shows what will happen to the city’s Victoria Harbor waterfront if emissions continue to not drop.

Climate Central’s analysis shows that China is where sea level rise is likely to have the biggest impact. At the time of 3°C warming, the report suggests that 43 million people in China will be in dire straits by 2100. That number includes 14 million in Hong Kong alone.

Another 200 million people living on the mainland will be at risk in the coming centuries. However, the authors also found that if the world made rapid cuts in greenhouse gas pollution, China could significantly reduce the risk. Under the 1.5°C scenario, about 50 million people would be rescued from being submerged by sea water, within a time frame of many centuries.

Hanoi Vietnam

These images show future forecast sea levels at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam due to anthropogenic global warming under two different scenarios. At 1.5 degrees Celsius, the Temple of Literature area will remain dry, if the temperature rises to 3 degrees Celsius, the area will be submerged in about half a meter of water.

Human choices about climate and energy over the next few decades may determine the outcome, but the timing of sea level rise is more difficult to predict: this sea level rise could take hundreds of years, to be new. until we can realize just how high it is.

The above are just 8 famous cities/places that will be affected by the climate crisis. You can view all 50 cities/locations here.

Reference: Gizmodo