And what we are learning about the role of trees
The rapid melting of glaciers is accelerating sea level rise, displacing up to 300,000 people annually. While glaciers hold vast freshwater reserves crucial for millions, their loss is irreversible at current warming rates. Despite their importance, it may already be too late to preserve them for future generations, highlighting the urgent need for climate action to slow this crisis.
As sea levels continue to rise due to global warming, millions of people are at risk of displacement, particularly in coastal regions like the Pacific Islands and South Asia. Climate Central, an organization dedicated to researching the effects of climate change, has created a map highlighting areas most vulnerable to rising waters and coastal flooding. While much can still change with decisive action, these studies underscore the urgency for governments to address the climate crisis. Without intervention, future generations may face the full brunt of these catastrophic consequences.
To find out which cities around the globe could find themselves below tide level as early as 2030, check out this gallery.
In the near future, Venice faces two threats: rising sea levels and the city itself sinking, by two millimeters every year.
Having already been hit by severe flooding, climate change is likely to increase the frequency of high tides that will submerge the city.
And while it has flood-defense systems in place, they'll become more difficult to maintain as the crisis worsens.
The island nation of Maldives has been aware of the threat of rising sea levels for quite some time. They have even begun building a floating city to deal with it.
The Maldivian capital's infrastructure and surrounding islands are at risk.
From the airport to the island of Hulhumalé, rising tide levels pose a serious problem.
The city has levees and flood walls in place, which protects it from floodwater out of Lake Maurepas in the north, and from Lake Salvador and Little Lake in the south.
Without these defenses, New Orleans would be severely threatened by rising sea levels. However, even with them in place, the damage could be catastrophic.
During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, there were over 50 levee and flood wall failures, which caused flooding in 80% of the city and all of St. Bernard Parish.
Basra is Iraq's main port city, which lies on the Shatt al-Arab, an enormous river that feeds into the Persian Gulf.
Due to its network of canals, streams, and neighboring marshland, Basra and its surrounding areas are especially vulnerable to a rise in sea levels.
On top of that, Basra already suffers significantly from waterborne diseases, so increased flooding could be even more threatening.
The areas most at risk in Ho Chi Minh City are its eastern districts, particularly the flat Thủ Thiêm.
The city is also increasingly threatened along the Mekong Delta.
While the city center is unlikely to be underwater by 2030, chances are it will be more vulnerable to flooding and tropical storms.
There's a reason why this nation is called the Low Countries. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague sit low and close to the North Sea.
Known for their flood defenses, it seems the country's system of dams, barriers, and floodgates will become even more essential in the years to come.
Savannah sits on a hurricane hotspot, but even without extreme weather, the historic city could see land swallowed up by the sea.
The Savannah River in the north and Ogeechee River in the south could both flood the city, meaning that when hurricanes and floods appear, the effects may be even worse.
The region around Kolkata has thrived for centuries due to its fertile, cultivated land. But therein lies the concern as the city expands into the surroundings.
Kolkata could struggle in the future during monsoon season as rainwater has less land to run off into.
The build-up of some coastal Japanese cities makes them vulnerable to rising sea levels, especially during typhoon season in May and October.
While most are well-equipped to deal with such events, the industrial port of Nagoya might have some big problems.
Located next to the Nagara and Kiso rivers, the western parts of the city could be vulnerable to extreme flooding.
It isn't just the north-eastern coastal city of Port Said that's under threat of rising tide levels. Vast areas to the west and below the city could also be submerged.
The local government has begun building barriers out of sand and concrete so that farmers don't lose land and crops to flooding.
A 2020 study found that the Thai capital could be the city that's worst hit by global warming in the short term. Bangkok sits just five feet (1.5 meters) above sea level, and it's sinking much faster than Venice.
Also, the city is built in dense clay soil, which makes it even more prone to flooding.
By 2030, most of the coastal areas of Tha Kham and Samut Prakan could be underwater. The same goes for its main airport, Suvarnabhumi International.
Bangladesh's third-largest city, Khulna is just 29 feet (nine meters) above sea level, which is alarming considering climate change.
As shown by 2021's devastating floods, much of the country is vulnerable to extreme flooding, but Khulna seems even more at risk.
For centuries, Guyana's capital Georgetown has relied on sea walls for protection from storms, especially one gigantic, 280-mile-long (450 km), sea wall.
Around 90% of Guyana's population lives on the coast, and the country will need to reinforce its sea wall if Georgetown's central areas are to avoid massive damage.
While Dandong isn't one of the most popular tourist destinations, it's still pretty huge, with over two million people living there.
Located on the Yalu River, this north-eastern city looks out over to North Korea. And there's a potential of this below-tide-level area becoming submerged.
The Indonesian city of Banjarmasin is built largely below sea level, on a swampy delta near the Barito river.
Known as the City of Thousand Rivers, Banjarmasin is also a center for indigenous Banjarese culture, which risks being impacted by rising sea levels.
Sources: (Time Out) (Climate Central) (Live Science)
Glacier melt threatens freshwater reserves and coastal populations
Rising sea levels and vanishing glaciers may soon leave millions without essential freshwater
LIFESTYLE Climate change
The rapid melting of glaciers is accelerating sea level rise, displacing up to 300,000 people annually. While glaciers hold vast freshwater reserves crucial for millions, their loss is irreversible at current warming rates. Despite their importance, it may already be too late to preserve them for future generations, highlighting the urgent need for climate action to slow this crisis.
As sea levels continue to rise due to global warming, millions of people are at risk of displacement, particularly in coastal regions like the Pacific Islands and South Asia. Climate Central, an organization dedicated to researching the effects of climate change, has created a map highlighting areas most vulnerable to rising waters and coastal flooding. While much can still change with decisive action, these studies underscore the urgency for governments to address the climate crisis. Without intervention, future generations may face the full brunt of these catastrophic consequences.
To find out which cities around the globe could find themselves below tide level as early as 2030, check out this gallery.