Parts of county could be lost as sea levels rise
THE number of people at risk of flooding due to global heating is three times larger than previously thought.
According to a study in the journal Nature Communications, tens of millions more people are claimed to be at risk of flooding if we don’t start urgently cutting our use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.
The latest scientific data has shown the scale of the issues coastal parts of Wales could face due to sea levels rising.
Detailed maps have been produced so you can see how your street could be affected.
The maps show the parts of Wales that could be under water within 80 years. This means that children born today will likely live to see this happen.
It is important to bear in mind that the images don’t take into account any cuts to emissions.
Experts claim these consequences can be prevented if we act now.
A new map shows which areas are predicted to be under water by 2100.
Porthcawl would be particularly hard-hit, with Trecco Bay, Newton and much of the town centre shown as being at risk.
Merthyr Mawr beach would also be swallowed up, along with areas along the River Ogmore, including the castle.
Much of the Kenfig National Naure Reserve would also be lost, according to the map.
According to climate change organisation Climate Central, by 2050, sea-level rise will mean land currently home to 300 million people across the globe will on average flood at least once a year. Previous estimates had put that figure at about 80 million.
In the UK, 3.6 million people would face annual flooding by 2050 and up to 5.4 million by 2100 if emissions continue to rise.
These figures do not take into account coastal defences, which would be needed at increasing cost to protect people and property.
“These assessments show the potential of climate change to reshape cities, economies, coastlines and entire global regions within our lifetimes,” said Dr Scott Kulp, a senior scientist at Climate Central and lead author of the study.
“As the tideline rises higher than the ground people call home, nations will increasingly confront questions about whether, how much and how long coastal defences can protect them.”
The report also makes claims about the potential benefits of cutting emissions.
Rapid emission cuts would save 50 million people worldwide from annual coastal flooding by 2100.
Without emission cuts, the sea would also entirely submerge land occupied by an additional 40 million people.
To view the map, visit coastal. climatecentral. org/