Climate group maps flooded future of city in deepening crisis
LONDON has seen some devastating flooding this year, which has destroyed homes, travel and public spaces.
As the climate crisis worsens, the UK’s capital could only expect to see such inclement weather get worse. But what could this look like? A group named Climate Central has endeavoured to show visually what London could look like in just a decade if sea levels continue to rise.
The flood map was created by the climate group laying out which parts of London could be submerged in water by 2030.
The map explores ‘sea level rise and coastal threats,’ accounting for if flooding worsens and the Thames banks burst.
Climate Central identifies that the UK is expected to be one of the countries most greatly affected by the world’s changing sea levels.
What this means for London is that rising sea levels could cause the Thames to flood and submerge vast areas of the capital in water.
Earlier this year, areas across London, particularly those in West and East, were hit with major flooding, with over 35mm of water in some areas leading to transport delays and serious damage to homes and businesses.
And according to Climate Central’s flood map, West London is likely to be badly hit if flooding continues. It’s extremely bad news for the borough of Fulham, which is predicted to be entirely submerged in water by 2030, according to the group’s map.
Other areas at risk are Chiswick and Hammersmith, which will become islands emerging from the wide water of the Thames.
The much-loved area of Kew Gardens is set to become an island itself as flooding submerges the entire area surrounding it.
East London
Echoing the devastating effects of the flooding on the area earlier this year, East London is predicted to be the worst impacted by rising water levels.
Climate Central says the East London areas of Stratford and Plaistow through to Barking and Dagenham could disappear under water within the decade, with Bethnal Green and Walthamstow only just escaping the floods.
Central London
Some of London’s most popular landmarks and tourist attractions could completely disappear under water, the group predicts.
These include the Tate, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, and even some bits of the Houses of Parliament.
On top of this, rising sea levels could submerge key Central London areas, with Southwark and Waterloo emerging as islands.
South London
Just a decade after finally getting its own tube station, Battersea Power Station could find itself completely swamped by water if the predictions of Climate Central are realised.
Parts of Brixton and Peckam could be flooded, with areas at either side of the Thames at risk of being entirely submerged.
North London
On the environmental group’s flood map, North London appears pretty unscathed by rising sea levels. From Camden up to Finchley and Barnet there looks to be very little flood damage across the area, though parts of Tottenham are at risk.
Climate Central previously told MyLondon of its predictions: “Climate Central’s sea level rise and coastal flood maps are based on peer-reviewed science in leading journals.
“As these maps incorporate big datasets, which always include some error, these maps should be regarded as screening tools to identify places that may require deeper investigation of risk.”
The Environment Agency has previously called the accuracy of the maps into question, saying they could be “misleading” as they do not take into account flood prevention measures.
The government agency said on August 18: “Whilst useful to prompt discussion around the impacts of sea level rise and need to adapt to climate change, the sea level rise prediction made by Climate Central around the future flooding in the area could be misleading and unsuitable to inform local coastal flood risk.
“The prediction does not take into account extensive efforts taken to prevent such severe incidents in the future, including the presence of sea defences, which protect communities from flooding.”