Impact of Sea-Level Rise on U.S. Infrastructure through 2050 Mapped by New Report

News Briefing, 25 June 2024

Research led by the Union of Concerned Scientists concludes that nearly three million people live in communities with critical infrastructure at risk of monthly flooding by 2050, including hundreds of schools, hospitals, and government buildings. States such as Louisiana, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, and California contain the largest amount of infrastructure that needs to be made more flood resistant or relocated to safer ground. Even under medium emissions, the number of critical infrastructure assets at risk of frequent and repeated flooding is expected to double by 2050, and around 4,800 community-essential buildings and facilities will face the threat of disruptive flooding every fortnight by 2100. The report concludes with a series of recommendations on next steps to reinforce vital infrastructure, provide equitable resources, and urgently mitigate emissions today to avoid the worst coastal infrastructure losses from sea-level rise.

Full report: https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/2024-06/Looming_Deadlines_for_Coastal_Resilience.pdf
Plain-language briefing: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/25/rising-sea-levels-flooding

By Emily Jacobson, Science Writing Intern; Amy Imdieke, Global Outreach Director; and Pam Pearson, Director of ICCI.
Published Jul. 1, 2024      Updated Jul. 1, 2024 8:55 pm