Climate Change
How will rising seas affect shorelines?
What might happen to the shoreline?
The seas might get so high and powerful that it could damage the shoreline.
How can we protect the shoreline?
With the threats of climate change and sea-level rise looming over us all, cities around the world, from New York to Ho Chi Minh City, have turned to the Netherlands for guidance. One Dutch firm, Arcadis, has prepared a conceptual design for a storm-surge barrier in the Verrazano Narrows to protect New York City.
What are some of the problems?
These days, there are the highest tides of the year in South Florida. And in a low lying area like that, a really high tide is more of a problem that you might otherwise think. A recent 3.59 foot high tide at 8:30 a.m. caused flooding in many areas. It's a warning, as well, of what to expect as sea levels keep rising.
Hurricane Sandy was a warning
By the time Hurricane Sandy veered toward the Northeast coast of the United States on October 29, 2012, it had mauled several countries in the Caribbean and left dozens dead. It caused serious damage to the Northeast coast's shoreline.
Flooding in Miami
At the intersection of 10th and Alton in Miami Beach, a mix of sea water and sewage is almost knee-deep. Underground pipelines meant to drain storm water to the ocean are instead carrying the ocean on land.