Scientists have cautioned about the dangers that climate change induced sea-level rise presents for many years. In recent studies show an urgent crisis for the developing countries of the Global South and new research shows that as many as 100 million buildings could be at risk of flooding by the end of the century, even if countries were to implement Paris Agreement emission reductions to the letter. This severe prediction shows the earthy commitment has failed to shield the vulnerable coastal dwellers against the inescapable forces of the rising seas.
Flood Prone Regions
The focus of the study was primarily on Africa, Southeast Asia and Central and South America, areas collectively termed the Global South since they enjoy long coastlines and fast urbanizing coastal cities. The researchers modeled scenarios of sea-level rise from half a meter to as much as 20 meters.
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The findings report that almost 100 million buildings in those regions would be endangered with a rise of 5 meters or more. At the very minimal estimate of 0.5 meters around 3 million buildings would still be at risk such figures point to an alarming underestimation of vulnerability until now.
Scientific Concerns About Slow but Certain Threats
The researchers involved expressed apprehension about the absolute size of the impending risk, stressing limited sea-level increases could have disastrous consequences. Professor Jeff Cardile from McGill University noted that the unexpected number of structures with flooding exposure underscores the need for better planning and mitigation. In turn, sea level rise is described by Professor Natalya Gomez also from McGill and a specialist in ice-sheet and sea-level interactions, as an unstoppable effect of ongoing global warming that will bear consequences on coastal populations for centuries to come.
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Will it Impacts on India
The study focused on islands in Southeast Asia, India was excluded from consideration due to a lack of complete evidence on sea-level trends around its mainland with an extensive coastline that faces three bodies of water the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean where India is naturally a vulnerable figure due to the rising water.
The lack of inclusion of India in the parameters does not automatically mean it is free but does compel an urgent data collection and risk assessment endeavor with its huge human settlements and economically important activities along its coast, India has several hurdles ahead regarding adaptation and mitigation to sea-level rise.
The entire scenario calls for immediate attention and timely interventions at a global scale in the Global South, where millions of people and structures stand at the forefront of the advancing threat of climate change.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on current scientific studies and projections, which may evolve as new data emerges; readers should consult experts for detailed guidance.
