REVEALED: FULL EXTENT OF THE THREAT FROM RISING SEA LEVELS
THIS worrying new map shows the areas of North Wales most at risk from rising sea levels.
The image also demonstrates how parts of Cheshire, the Wirral and Merseyside will fall victim, if predictions are correct.
A study published in the journal Nature Communications found that in the UK, 3.6 million people would face annual flooding by 2050 if emissions continue to rise. Led by Climate Central, a group based at Princeton, New Jersey, USA, a global map has been created using data from the study showing potential flooding from sea-level rise this century.
On Anglesey the Cefni estuary, currently controlled by sluice gates at Malltraeth, would flood across large areas including over the A55 and A5 near Llangefni.
The map suggests an area in the Conwy Valley near Llanrwst is at risk. The area experienced extensive flooding earlier this year following Storm Gareth.
The map shows areas in the Dyfi, Dysynni, Mawddach, Dwyryd and Glaslyn estuaries are in danger of flooding, along with other areas around the north and west Gwynedd coast.
Gwynedd Council has already announced it will cease maintaining coastal defences around Fairbourne near Barmouth later this century, with residents moved away before 2050.
Further east, large areas around Rhyl appear to be in danger.
Climate change activist Leo Barasi said: “Without emission cuts, the sea would also entirely submerge the land where 40 million people currently live.”
Local authorities already have access to small-scale surveys at ground level to understand sealevel rise risk and make planning decisions. The new global data can be used together with these local studies, he added.
Dr Scott Kulp, a senior scientist at Climate Central and lead author of the study, said: “These assessments show the potential of climate change to reshape cities, economies, coastlines, and entire global regions within our lifetimes.”
Climate Central is a non-profit organisation providing authoritative information to help public and policymakers make decisions about climate and energy.