9 major cities could be underwater by 2100 – here’s how they would look
9 major cities could be underwater by 2100 – here’s how they would look
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As the Earth’s climate continues to become more unpredictable, fluctuating between catastrophic extremes, some cities face being flooded beyond recognition in the not too distant future. It’s thought that by 2100, global sea levels will have risen by 1.9 metres (6.2ft) if carbon dioxide emissions continue to spike, according to researchers from Nanyang Technological University (NTU). As rainfall is increasing across the world, the chance of more devastating floods is becoming more likely.
So, if global sea levels were to rise this high, many towns and cities could be plunged underwater. The MailOnline turned to Google’s AI image generator, ImageFX, to see what nine cities that are vulnerable to rising sea levels might look like in 2100. With around 11 million people living in Bangkok, this dense metropolitan will have to reconsider its infrastructure to deal with its rising sea levels and sinking land.
It’s thought the city is sinking at around 4cm per year, as the Gulf of Thailand is rising at 0.25cm per year, which means that the city is both sinking and flooding simultaneously. But ImageFX seems to have a resolution to this – just build higher roads. It shows a city embracing the rising water, with people on boats seemingly to navigating life as normal. Realistically, however, millions of people will be affected, and transforming the city in such a dramatic manner would take huge amounts of time and money.
Around 90% of Hull is below the high-tide line which, considering sea levels are rising, doesn’t sound good for the city. Of course with proper sea defences, the former City of Culture could prosper for a bit longer. But this AI doesn’t think so. It seems in 2100, Hull will adopt a hybrid of futuristic looking buildings and traditional architecture. Hull ranks as the UK’s second most vulnerable city to flooding after London.
With around 50% of greater New Orleans sitting beneath sea level, it’s no surprise this city could be badly affected by rising sea levels. According to the 2020 census, New Orleans has a population of 383,997, all of whom would likely be affected by the rising waters. It’s thought that New Orleans is sinking at a rate of around 6.4mm per year, with a maximum sinking of up to 40mm per year. AI reveals a slightly scary sight, which at first looks like it will be hard to navigate. It doesn’t seem like the city has done much to adapt to the flooding, simply with boats using the routes created for cars.
According to Vietnam News, a survey by the Japan International Cooperation has suggested that Ho Chi Minh City is sinking at a devastating rate of 2-5cm per year. Areas that have a high concentration of commercial buildings are sinking by 7-8 cm per year. These figures makes it one of the top five fastest-sinking coastal cities in the world. If the city wants to continue to house its approximate current population of 9 million, it will have to be imaginative. And according to this AI, a dramatic change will be undertaken within the next 75 years.
Ho Chi Minh has opted for high roads too, with large buildings sitting on what seems to be the water’s surface. High rises dominate the skyline, so construction of the city will not slow down anytime soon either. Are they flying taxis above? Or is that just more tourists?. Hamburg may not immediately jump to mind as a city that is prone to flooding – but it is. Although it sits more than 100km from the North Sea, it has lowlands that are vulnerable to both storm surges and heavy rainfall.
Hamburg’s port can be traced back to the 9th century, but it has been elevated twice after two flooding episodes; in 1962 and in 2017. But its position leaves it particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall, inland flooding and storm surges. According to the AI, the future of the city looks almost Venetian in nature, with far more organisation than other examples. This city is known as one with many canals, which total more than 160. However, since there are already bodies of water which run through the heart of the city, you probably could have guessed Amsterdam would make this list.
The Netherlands is sinking already, and it’s no surprise – as its lowest point is 22ft is below sea level. The Netherlands is part of the Low Countries, which sit low, flat and close to the North Sea. AI imagines Amsterdam as strangely uniform, and still connected through land. It also looks as though there are ride shares, rather than everyone having their own boat. Again, greenery is dotted around suggesting water is good for plants (who knew?). Unfortunately, the days of cycling around Amsterdam would come to an end.
Still in Europe, we come to Venice. The city is sinking by around 2mm every year, so in 2100 a lot of it will be reclaimed by the sea. The city faces of a double whammy of severe flooding and an increase in the frequency of high tides to further compound the issue. But the city doesn’t look too different overall in 2100, according to AI. There are still canals and gondolas to take you around, so holidays may still be on the cards.