Earth Charter Chicago

Impacts of sea-level rise on the California coast

During the last century, at sea, about eight inches along the California coast, and the generalization of models of scenarios suggest very large increase in sea level as important effects of climate change in the next century . This study provides a detailed analysis of the current population, infrastructure and property from the sea may increase plan, if no action is taken, to protect the coast. Rising sea level has been the scenario of the State of California medium to high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), but not sea level mount, worstcase that might occur. We also assess the costs of construction, structural measures to reduce this risk. If development in the areas of risk, these estimates increase. Whatever the implementation of measures in the future, sea level rise will inevitably change the character of the coast of California.

We believe that 1.4 meter of sea level rise 480,000 people 100year the risk of flooding, because the current population. Among the stakeholders are many people and lowincome communities of color who are particularly vulnerable. A large number of critical infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, schools, first-aid facilities, sewage treatment plants, power plants, and is also an increased risk of flooding, as well as large areas of wetlands and other natural ecosystems. In addition, the cost of replacing property at risk of coastal areas under this scenario, Sealevel rise to nearly $ 100 billion (2000 dollars). A number of structural and nonstructural strategies and measures can be implemented to reduce these risks. For example, we assume that some vulnerable areas to protect against flooding by building dams and dikes will cost at least $ 14 billion (in 2000 dollars), additional costs for maintenance over $ 1.4 billion per year. Continuing development in areas at risk, other areas of risk and protection costs. Much of the Pacific coast are not vulnerable to flooding, but they are very vulnerable to erosion. We believe that the rise in sea level of 1.4 meters is to accelerate erosion, leading to a loss of 41 square miles (over 26,000 hectares), the California coast in 2100. In total, 14,000 people are currently living in the region at risk of erosion. In addition, significant infrastructure and transportationrelated are susceptible to erosion. Country areas of risk management on erosion risks, but in some countries and communities, coastal erosion is a greater risk. This report provides a series of recommendations and strategies for adapting to sea level rise.