 |
| The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned the Earth is heading towards increased temperatures of more than 3C. This will have catastrophic effects for life on Earth. The areas shown in red on the globe will become uninhabitable by 2100, because of extreme heat, rising seas or tropical cyclones. The height of the red bars on the map show the current population now living in each of these future uninhabitable locations. |
Some cities face extreme risks from rising seas, intense heat, flooding, and economic collapse.
| Risk Level | Cities |
|---|---|
| 🔴 Critical Risk | Miami, New Orleans, Venice, Jakarta, Dhaka, Basra |
| 🟠High Risk | New York, Cairo, Lagos, Phoenix, Delhi, Houston |
| 🟡 Moderate Risk | Los Angeles, Bangkok, Karachi, Manila, Buenos Aires |
Legend
- 🔴 Critical Risk: Severe threats from rising seas, extreme heat, frequent flooding, civil unrest, or economic collapse.
- 🟠High Risk: Major impacts highly likely without significant interventions.
- 🟡 Moderate Risk: Noticeable impacts increasing but still somewhat manageable in the short term.
Note: Climate risks are evolving rapidly, and city-specific vulnerabilities may increase with time if global emissions are not significantly reduced.
In Miami, Florida, the threat isn’t a distant forecast. "Sunny day flooding," where tides swamp streets even without rain, is already a regular occurrence (Washington Post). Sea level rise, compounded by stronger hurricanes and a collapsing insurance market, could force an exodus from one of America's fastest-growing metro areas.
Across the Atlantic, Venice, Italy is fighting a losing battle against the water that made it famous. Despite the installation of a $6 billion flood barrier system known as MOSE, frequent high tides continue to inundate the city (Reuters).
Jakarta, Indonesia faces a twofold disaster: rising seas and a sinking city. Over-extraction of groundwater has caused Jakarta to subside by up to 10 centimeters a year (National Geographic).
Inland, extreme heat is turning modern life into a survival challenge. In Phoenix, Arizona, 2023 set records with 31 consecutive days over 110°F (43°C) (New York Times).
Delhi, India is grappling with life-threatening temperatures that could soon reach "wet-bulb" conditions — combinations of heat and humidity fatal to humans without cooling (Smithsonian Magazine).
Water scarcity threatens political stability too. Cairo, Egypt is feeling the effects of a shrinking Nile River (Al-Monitor).
In Basra, Iraq, summers regularly top 120°F (49°C), while saltwater intrusion into the Shatt al-Arab River has poisoned farms and drinking water (Middle East Institute).
Dhaka, Bangladesh faces chronic flooding and dangerous heatwaves, making it one of the world’s most vulnerable megacities (Al Jazeera).
In Lagos, Nigeria, repeated flooding threatens homes, transportation, and food supply chains (The Conversation).
Even cities accustomed to rebuilding are stretched thin. Houston, Texas is facing climate-fueled hurricanes and rising insurance costs (Bloomberg).
Conclusion: Early Warnings for the World
These cities are early warning systems. Climate change is not a slow, linear problem — it’s a force multiplier, accelerating financial collapse, humanitarian crises, and migration pressures.
Without drastic global action to cut emissions and invest in adaptation, a future where millions are displaced by the collapse of once-great cities is not just likely.
It's already starting.
Links
- Regional fact sheet - Australasia (pdf)
- Climate change, environmental extremes, and human health in Australia: challenges, adaptation strategies, and policy gaps
- IPCC Global Climate Projections
- UK Climate Projections
- Copernicus Climate Projections
- NASA Climate Change Effects
- Met Office Climate Change Effects
- National Geographic Global Warming Effects