Hey, did you know that scientists have identified 99 coastal cities worldwide that are sinking? Yeah, it’s true! These cities are home to at least 200 million people. Can you believe it? The study found that almost all of these cities are sinking at some rate, and some are dropping as much as five centimeters per year. That’s crazy!
But wait, it gets even more interesting. The researchers discovered four ‘hotspots’ in Asia where the sinking is happening at an alarming rate. Places like Bangladesh, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan are experiencing yearly subsidence rates of up to five centimeters. Can you imagine?
And it’s not just Asia that’s affected. Even cities like Tampa Bay in Florida, Auckland in New Zealand, Taipei in Taiwan, and Istanbul in Turkey are sinking fast. These cities are home to more than 22 million people. That’s a lot!
So, how did the scientists figure all this out? Well, they used satellite images from 2015 to 2020 to analyze the ground height of these cities. By measuring the timing and intensity of the reflected waves, they were able to determine the rate at which the ground is sinking. Pretty cool, right?
Now, here’s the scary part. Most of these cities are sinking faster than sea levels are rising. That means that even if we manage to control sea level rise, these cities will still be in danger. It’s a compounding effect that many cities are not prepared for.
The sinking is caused by various factors. Excessive groundwater extraction is one of the main culprits, but human activities like mining, construction, and fossil fuel extraction also contribute to the problem. It’s a complex issue that needs urgent attention.
But don’t worry, there is hope. Some cities have managed to curtail their subsidence rates through changes in groundwater management. Jakarta in Indonesia, for example, has significantly reduced its sinking rate in the past 20 years. So, it’s not all doom and gloom.
In conclusion, the sinking of coastal cities is a serious problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s a wake-up call for us to take action and find sustainable solutions. We need to protect our cities and ensure the safety of future generations. Let’s work together to make a difference!