Impact of 1 meter sea level rise on US Cities
Scientists warn that about 450 parts-per-million carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will trigger glacial melt and sea level rise-the climate change tipping point. Catastrophic disaster has been predicted for coastal cities and low-lying countries at 6 meters sea level rise. But what happens to U.S. coastal cities at just one to two meters rise?
The United States has 12,000 miles of coastline with 53 percent of U.S. residents living in coastal cities or towns. The 2030 Research Center recently conducted a coastal impact study to understand at what point sea level rise creates catastrophic damage in this country. They found that with just one meter of sea level rise the nation would be under siege with catastrophic loss and disruption similar to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
At only one meter in sea level rise large cities including New Orleans; Miami Beach; and Foster City, California would be under water. At one-and-ahalf meters, Galveston, Texas, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Newport Beach, California and Honolulu would all be under water.
The study found that coal is the only fuel cheap and plentiful enough to push the planet beyond the 450 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Researchers concluded that stopping construction of coal burning power plants and phasing out older plants is the only way to turn around the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in time to prevent reaching the climate change tipping point. Construction and operation of buildings in this country consumes about 60 percent of energy consumption in the United States. To significantly reduce dependence on coal powered plants, energy efficiency in all new construction and building renovation will be required.