Sea levels are rising fastest in big cities – here’s why

Mar 23, 2021

A street vendor pushes his cart through the water in an area affected by floods following heavy rains in Jakarta, Indonesia, February 20, 2021. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC27WL9PY0L8

Image: REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC27WL9PY0L8

Robert James Nicholls

Professor of Climate Adaptation, University of East Anglia

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a map showing where the rise in sea levels will have the biggest affect on populations

When weighted by population, relative sea level rise is worst in south east Asia, followed by south and east Asia, and the southern Mediterranean. Image: Nicholls et al, CC BY-SA

a map showing how new orleans would be impacted by sea levels rises

Much of New Orleans is below sea level (red) and relies on sea walls to stay dry. Image: The Data Center, New Orleans, CC BY-SA

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