Word on the street is that a few decades down the line, parts of Venice might be underwater. Facts like these are becoming increasingly common nowadays, highlighting the dire shifts in the climate worldwide.
As global temperatures rise and the coastline drowns or water sources dry up, a few cities on this planet will experience the brunt of the situation more than the others.
If you are curious about it or want to safeguard yourself, hang in there because we will look into the 25 cities that will absolutely fail due to climate change later.
1. Jakarta, Indonesia
Due to its geographical location and land subsidence, Jakarta is quite vulnerable to climate change. Excess groundwater extraction and rising sea levels are said to be causing several parts of the northern districts to submerge. Estimates suggest that by 2050, large parts of the city might be underwater, contributing to urban failure.
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2. Miami, USA
Despite its glorious coastline, Miami is “ground zero” for sea-level rise in the U.S. Instances like “sunny day flooding” and the saltwater intrusion damaging freshwater sources, real estate in the city is gradually devaluing. Also, the frequent storms and low-lying location are worsening things further.
3. Lagos, Nigeria
Due to its coastal location, Lagos in Nigeria is another city susceptible to the wrath of climate change. Despite being a megacity, its rising population and degrading climate are contributing to rising sea levels, increased flooding, and higher temperatures, threatening its existence daily.
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4. New Orleans, USA
New Orleans sits below sea level and is protected by levees that failed during Hurricane Katrina. Its low elevation, land subsidence, and rising sea levels are factors that could raise concerns about its sustenance down the line when the climate changes further impacts the planet, putting it at risk of more floods.
5. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dhaka is under the threat of gradually rising rivers and encroaching seas. What’s further worsening the situation is the excess population in the city. Since the city is located on a floodplain, it is further impacted by intense monsoon floods, heatwaves, and water scarcity, citing potential humanitarian disaster down the line.
6. Venice, Italy
When it comes to the wrath of climate change, Venice might be one of the first cities to take the hit. The rising levels of the Adriatic Sea could very well turn the “City of Canals” into “City of Ruins.” Also, the MOSE barrier project has been delayed, indicating that the city might become “unliveable” soon.
7. Bangkok, Thailand
Reports suggest that Bangkok is sinking 2 cm annually, with the constantly rising sea levels. Since the city is already built on swampy grounds, the heavy infrastructure will likely weigh down, leading to increased risks of flooding, unbearable urban heat, and rising tides over the next few decades.
8. Cape Town, South Africa
The capital city of South Africa, Cape Town, nearly avoided “Day Zero,” when taps would run dry. Constantly rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall are making the country’s water supply critically vulnerable. Shifting weather patterns are also further impacting the city’s vibrancy.
9. Karachi, Pakistan
The lethal heatwaves in Karachi during the summer almost feel like a warning of what’s coming. Not only is it contributing to rising sea levels, the climate change is also contributing to water shortages. In fact, in 2015, roughly 1200 people died because of heat strokes, citing the urgency in the city.
10. New York City, USA
New York is preparing for 100-year floods that now occur every decade. Despite the city’s vibrancy, we can’t brush aside the looming threats of rising seas that could wipe out subways, power systems, and buildings down the line. Hurricane Sandy seems like a preview of what’s to come.
11. Alexandria, Egypt
The coastline of Alexandria is consistently receding due to the rising Mediterranean waters, which is a red alert. Not only that, but the saltwater intrusion also impacts the fertile lands around the Nile delta. The climate shifts could impact the national agricultural and housing sectors and cause economic collapse.
12. Honolulu, Hawaii
Rising seas threaten the beaches, roads, and homes around Honolulu. The coral reefs are dying, and the Pacific is warming up, contributing to intense storm surges. This, in turn, could tell a cautionary tale for the city down the line.
13. Kolkata, India
Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal, is no stranger to heatwaves and flooding from the rising rivers. As climate-induced cyclones batter the Bay of Bengal, the city’s infrastructure will eventually buckle. The population in the city might experience escalating climate chaos over the decades.
14. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro is renowned for its beaches, but did you know that the rising sea levels around the city pose a landslide threat? Not just that, the city is also experiencing extreme heat waves, further citing the impacts of climate change.
15. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
A tourist hub in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is at critical risk from rising Mekong Delta waters. Much of the city lies a meter above sea level, so if catastrophe hits because of climate shifts, the city will be swept away by floods, saltwater intrusions, and more.
16. Melbourne, Australia
Despite being known for its liveability and bustling environment, Melbourne now faces wild temperature swings, bushfires, water scarcity, and rising sea levels. Also, the city’s proximity to bushfire-prone regions further makes it vulnerable to the destruction caused by climate change.
17. Istanbul, Turkey
The popular city of Istanbul is no stranger to the threats of climate change. Factors like rising temperatures, drought, water shortages, and sea-level rise in the Bosphorus have become a common issue, and the dense population is further worsening the situation.
18. Guangzhou, China
Guangzhou lies in China’s low-lying Pearl River Delta, a hotspot for sea-level rise and typhoons. It is believed that by 2050, large swathes of the city may flood. Also, the city’s population is over 15 million; climate impacts could impact one of the most popular economy-driving cities in China.
19. San Francisco, USA
The iconic waterfront of San Francisco is also at risk of destruction due to Pacific storms and sea-level rise. The cliffs around the city are consistently eroding, and the land is subsiding, indicating a lot of complexities. Reports suggest several tech campuses along the bay are due to climate-enhanced storm surges.
20. Rotterdam, Netherlands
Tagged as the “most flood-prone cities” in the Netherlands. It lies below sea level and is defended by one of the world’s most sophisticated dam systems. However, it could test even the strongest dams with the rising sea level and the increased frequency of storm surges.
21. Manila, Philippines
The urban city of Manila is another one under constant climate threats. From typhoons, rising seas to flooding rivers, the imminent risks are never-ending, and the climate crisis is worsening the impacts further. There are rising risks of sinking land and groundwater depletion too.
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22. Basra, Iraq
Basra is baking in temperatures topping 50°C (122°F), with rivers drying and saltwater encroaching inland. Also, frequent dust storms and lack of drinkable water could very well be a looming threat in the years.
23. Osaka, Japan
Due to its low elevation and high frequency of typhoons, Osaka is already at the brunt of the weather impacts, and the consistently worsening climate shifts aren’t helping. The rising sea levels could overrun the seawalls and the underground systems in the future.
24. Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi is warming rapidly, causing irregular rainfall, water scarcity, and food insecurity. Urban flooding alternates with prolonged drought. Climate change threatens its informal settlementsthe most, where infrastructure is virtually non-existent and residents face worsening disease outbreaks.
25. London, United Kingdom
While the city is bustling, the rising Thames tides and flash floods from intense rains are growing threats to the city. Not just that, the city’s aging drainage and flood barriers aren’t going to help in the future if the situation keeps being like this.
Final Words
Climate change is probably one of the worst threats humans face. Consistently rising sea levels owing to urban growth and poor planning might catch up in the future, and these cities around the world could be experiencing the worst of the situation.
