More than 1,400 US cities could be flooded by 2100

Despite the skepticism of some, there is much evidence that the human species is causing radical changes in the climate of the planet. With higher evaporation rates, for example, the seas are getting saltier. The situation is worrying, and for many, such a rise in temperature will even be able to create new life forms.

As if that wasn't enough, NASA recently stated that 2012 was the ninth hottest year since 1980. And unless you're part of the millionaire group that wants to build an artificial archipelago to escape global warming, it's a good start. to prepare for the worst.

According to climate impact expert Dr. Benjamin Strauss, greenhouse gases have “set off” an unpleasant future effect: the rise of about 1.3 meters above sea level, enough to flood 316 cities off the US coast and reach 3.6 million people in 50 years.

Predictions for the end of the century

The researcher's predictions are based on a study recently published by the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and estimates, based on calculations and observations, that sea level can rise by 1.2 meters per 0, 5 ºC more caused by excess carbon dioxide.

From this, Dr. Strauss combined current carbon emission rates and data provided by other climate monitoring projects with Climate Change`s Surging Seas, and came to more frightening conclusions.

Continuing with the calculation and projecting the situation 100 years from now, the researcher realized that the flood would affect 1, 400 US cities and 18 million people. However, if some measures were taken and climate-controlled greenhouse gas emissions controlled, “only” 555 would be flooded.

It is worth remembering that these are simple projections and that the reality is much more complex. The study, for example, does not take into account the engineering technologies that could be employed to prevent flooding, but is based solely on the elevation of these regions.