The Pacific Instutite has recently released a new study which looks at which Coastal area’s in the state are most at risk of climate change driven flooding:
According to the study, “480,000 people; a wide range of critical infrastructure; vast areas of wetlands and other natural ecosystems; and nearly $100 billion in property along the California coast are at increased risk from flooding from a 1.4-meter sea-level rise – if no adaptation actions are taken.”
The report made some key findings:
1. under relatively conservative estimates, the report projects the California coasts line to rise an estimated 1 to 1.4 meters by the year 2100.
2. A 1.4 meter rise can be expected to put 480,00 people at risk of a 100-year flood event.
3. Their demographic analysis identified potentially significant environmental justice concerns.
4. Huge amounts of critical infrastructure will face an increased risk on innundation in a 100-year flood event. the infrstructure involved:
- Potentially 140 Schools
- 34 Police and Fire stations
- Over 300 Hazardous waste facilities/sites
- 3,500 miles of roads and 280 miles of railways
- 30 coastal power plants
- 29 wastewater treatment plants
- SFO and OAK airports
5. Huge amounts of wetlands and other natural ecosystems are at risk, an estimated 430,000 acres,
6. Around $100 billion worth of property will be at risk.
7. It would cost around $14 billion in upfront costs, and around $1.4 billion a year to protect most of the at risk proporties.
8. Other areas will face increased risk of erosion.
To read the report, visit: http://www.pacinst.org/reports/sea_level_rise/
If you are more of a visual learner, be sure to check out the maps they put together. Want to see if your home is at risk, just check it out using their google maps overlay: http://www.pacinst.org/reports/sea_level_rise/gmap.html
