Rising sea levels will disrupt millions of Americans’ lives by 2050, study finds

584 points by john217 2 years ago on reddit | 59 comments

giga_phantom | 2 years ago

Tbh, I thought it would be sooner than 2050

dogemikka | 2 years ago

In 2019 the IPCC produced a special report on Water levels. They've forseen problems for many costal cities within 10 years. And suggested policymakers to develop an economy that tackles the issue. Some countries followed the recommendations, like Holland or Danemark, most didn't. As usual we wait a tragedy to take action. Since IPCC was created in 1994 they always sandbagged their forecast to avoid being accused of being alarmist. Their 4 year report predictions have been consistently beaten.

turtleduck | 2 years ago

and that was 5 years ago.... fuck

IAm_Trogdor_AMA | 2 years ago

It could be! These models are usually very conservative due to the watchful eye of oil and gas.

skinnyfatty1987 | 2 years ago

They keep pushing the date to the right

somafiend1987 | 2 years ago

Politics moves it further to the future. Science says sooner. Advertisers back the politicians. Media is 90% advertising.

skinnyfatty1987 | 2 years ago

What a dance it is

somafiend1987 | 2 years ago

Except it is more like the AIDS crapshoot of the 1980s. Dancing with death is cool in the fictional or artistic sense. Purposely decreasing the life expectancy of humanity, not so much.

skinnyfatty1987 | 2 years ago

I don’t disagree. However, it’s hard to know what to believe anymore.

somafiend1987 | 2 years ago

You have to dial back to Reagan for that. Ending The Fairness Doctrine resulted in fictional and opinion ladened "news" pushed so far by the Murdoch clan, and even formerly, educational channels are now complete fiction (Discovery, Learning, History channels).

Prior to that, news had to be factual and devoid of opinions. Rupert went to work tossing Ronnie's salad until rules were twisted in that cancerous Aussie's favor. Some will argue the doctrine held back the spread of cable networks. Amending the doctrine was possible, but would not benefit the future billionaires.

skinnyfatty1987 | 2 years ago

Interesting info. Thanks for sharing.

o0joshua0o | 2 years ago

I’m just grateful they have the ability to move the date out. I don’t want it to affect me in my lifetime.

Igotalotofducks | 2 years ago

Yes they do, more scare tactics….

skinnyfatty1987 | 2 years ago

Politics and money

MrFlags69 | 2 years ago

It is. Try getting insurance on a house in florida…

Rodgertheshrubber | 2 years ago

Keep this in mind, the people doing these studies tend to use the most conservative data for fear of being labeled alarmist then loosing their funding. The scientists that worked for Big Oil and wrote about the hazards of man driven Climate Change in the late 60's/early 70's all lost their jobs and had the reports buried.

Elevator-Fun | 2 years ago

By that time the people that should have done something about it will be gone

Bye bye Florida - but fortunately climate change does not exist (for them) so they will be fine.

ethanwc | 2 years ago

So, Florida, that’s been around for 14,000 years, will be completely submerged and gone in 30 years?

Best guesses put the lower third under in 2100. It’s not going to disappear anytime soon.

De-Animator27 | 2 years ago

Don't worry, Ron DeSantis made a bill to make sure climate change is removal from all lexicon. I think that stopped it right.

v1brates | 2 years ago

I live near the coast in Sydney, and I recently bought a house up on a hill for this very reason. Low lying homes will become uninsurable, and then worthless, in the next 20-50 years.

unthused | 2 years ago

I live about a half mile from the ocean on the east coast of the US, in a condo complex that is slightly elevated from the surrounding area. I figure I'll have oceanfront property eventually.

InformalPenguinz | 2 years ago

I live in Wyoming in the states... I feel like I'm far enough away that I'm good.

Ancient_Bicycles | 2 years ago

Make sure your roads in and out of that neighborhood are also not low lying

Ok_Environment_3176 | 2 years ago

I think most of the migration will eventually from countryside to cities (including sea-side). Only cities will be equipped (money power) to prepare for global warming, control of water, electricity etc. As majority of the cities are located near coast, they will manage. Not sure about other areas. (Talking about next 50 yrs only, cities too will fail eventually as water level rises)

Spirited-Reputation6 | 2 years ago

Only the ones that had to live in that expensive house on the shore. The guy that bought a farther from the shore will have a new beachfront property in no time!

Meat-Socks | 2 years ago

East Coast US has a lot of lower income people who will be affected by this. Relocating is harder when you’re poor. I’m sure thats true for many locations across the planet.

Pepetodapin | 2 years ago

Better live in higher elevation or you’ll be screwed. 😬

Mcozy333 | 2 years ago

How does all those Rising water levels effect the Oceans' Salinity levels over time !!!??? maybe leading into messing up the warm water ocean currents ?

allonsyyy | 2 years ago

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39810-w

SweetChiliCheese | 2 years ago

Thank the gods it's only Murica that gets the rising sea levels...

/S

historicartist | 2 years ago

real estate maps on apps around the coasts looks like a bad case of measles.

oh and dont even suggest houses be featured that have ev charging in the garages. totally stupid

robb1519 | 2 years ago

Just enough time to forget about it and let another generation deal with the consequences.

SouthPark-SandFlats | 2 years ago

In the 70’s.. it was the ice age coming In the 90’s .. it was global warming In the 2010’s .. it’s climate change In 2025.. it will be a passing joke cuz the bullshit ends! #AlGore4a1,000Alex

PowerLion786 | 2 years ago

Bought a house on waterfront. Scientists documented that sea level is falling. Activists using models insist otherwise.

The real tragedy is the reefs down the coast. With falling sea levels, they are now regularly exposed at low tide, killing them.

steel_member | 2 years ago

10-12 inches according to NOAA

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/hazards/sealevelrise/sealevelrise-tech-report.html#:~:text=Sea%20level%20along%20the%20U.S.,years%20(1920%20%2D%202020).

ethanwc | 2 years ago

When insurance and mortgage companies stop doing 30 year leases on coastal houses and towns, that’s when to panic.

Some insurance companies are abandoning entire states.

skvacha | 2 years ago

They said the exact same thing 40 years ago :)))

Ok_Environment_3176 | 2 years ago

That's the shame. They were right.

mrxexon | 2 years ago

Not a boomer problem... We're dying off and the rest of you better get your act together. Cause your decendents will have to move entire cities...

puterTDI | 2 years ago

Problem caused by boomers but not dealt with by boomers like so many other problems.

Zee_WeeWee | 2 years ago

> Problem caused by boomers but not dealt with by boomers like so many other problems.

Focusing on a single generation to blame is almost laughable in a science based sub lol

lordjuicy | 2 years ago

And their descendants will carry the torch just as they did for the generation before them. The hubris of humankind stands the test of time unfortunately.

gh0stpr0t0c0l8008 | 2 years ago

I read this a lot. But I never read what people like you are actually doing to solve this. I’m going to bet you own a vehicle or use a public service vehicle for transportation. I bet you eat meat. I bet you own plastic items. So, you’re as much a part of the problem as any other generation before yours. I’m not a boomer myself, much younger. But, it’s short sided and hypocritical to blame one generation while doing what contributes to climate change yourself.

puterTDI | 2 years ago

I choose not to have children.

I vote in favor of pretty much all things for protecting the environment including carbon taxes.

I raise my own chickens and garden vegetables.

I’ve made multiple improvements my house to reduce energy consumption.

I dont use central heat, I just heat the rooms we occupy.

I don’t have or use central air. I only use portable ac units, when needed.

While I do eat meat, I’ve significantly reduced the amount and eat less than almost anyone I know.

I use all electronic devices as long as possible and make my own repairs to them where possible.

I have significant investments in support of clean energy.

I’ve began looking into the feasibility of solar panels and a power wall.

What have you done, and why are you making assumptions about me. How much do you think an individual can do when we represent only a small fraction of the problem compared to industry?

gh0stpr0t0c0l8008 | 2 years ago

Because all of those things you are using was made by polluting the air. The very phone or computer you are typing on was made from plastics that will pollute the ocean. You point your finger at others, yet you are contributing yourself. If you really want to be carbon footprint free, go live in the woods and disconnect otherwise, stop pointing fingers. Humans will adapt. The earth changes climates all the time and it’s not just the atmosphere, the core of the Earth is changing as well. It’s our job to adapt or die.

ethanwc | 2 years ago

Glad you’re not having children.

firstdropof | 2 years ago

Lol.

lifeofrevelations | 2 years ago

nope, not having any descendants. I don't know who would willingly bring another life into this shit-circus but it sure won't be me.

Little_Lahey_Show | 2 years ago

I'd have to get laid first

Is what I tell others why I don't have any kids at my age

SpectreInfinite | 2 years ago

Congratulations on making the world a worse place for YOUR descendants.

probablyseriousmaybe | 2 years ago

In the 80s it was going to be 2000

jkooc137 | 2 years ago

Shout out to Florida for making sure we won't miss it when it sinks into the ocean

juicelordsword | 2 years ago

Can someone explain this to me? Why are the sea levels rising?

Ancient-Cold-8941 | 2 years ago

Meanwhile, the water level at the statute of liberty is still the same.

bionicjoe | 2 years ago

Salinity has increased in every coastal estuary or flood plain around the world by about 5-10%.
The oceans are beginning to rise, but like everything else it won't be like a fucking movie.

Bennnnetttt | 2 years ago

Whoop Whoop! Get it!