Rising sea levels could increase risk for millions of coastal residents, study says

The study warns that climate hazards such as rising sea levels will likely increase the risk for millions of coastal residents.

The study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, said a 1 meter rise in sea level by 2100 would affect more than 14 million people along the southeast Atlantic coast, from Norfolk, Virginia, to Miami, Florida. The study is relevant to India, where a large number of people not only live in coastal areas but also depend on the sea for their livelihood.

The study found that by 2100, 70 percent of coastal populations will also be exposed to shallow or rising groundwater—a far greater impact than daily flooding.

This groundwater hazard will likely impact approximately $1 trillion in property values, creating new challenges for infrastructure such as roads, buildings, septic systems and utilities. The scale of these interconnected hazards is much greater than expected, said Manuchehr Shirzai of Virginia Tech’s Department of Geosciences.

“Flood risk, compounded by land inundation and beach loss, could displace millions of people and damage critical infrastructure unless robust adaptation strategies are implemented,” Shirzaei said.

The findings, made in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey, are based on assessments of the cumulative impacts of multiple climate-related hazards associated with coastal areas, including sea level rise, flooding, beach erosion, land subsidence and groundwater rise. All of these situations are expected to worsen significantly by the end of the 21st century. Additionally, the researchers noted that coastal storms and hurricanes will increase the risk of inland flooding. With a 1 meter rise in sea level, flooding would affect up to 50 percent of the region’s residents, affecting property values ​​by US$770 billion.