A new study in Nature estimates that climate change will bring about sharp increases in the risk of flooding, with disadvantaged populations likely to bear the worst of the impact.
Researchers at the University of Bristol in Britain used federal weather and building data, housing records, and detailed local flood maps to forecast how climate change will affect flooding patterns across the United States, and pinpoint which communities will see the most change.
The study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, concludes that the annual cost of flooding will increase from its current estimated level of $32.1 billion to $40.6 billion by 2050, an increase of 26.4 percent.The worst flood risk is now shouldered by impoverished White communities, the researchers said. But their findings suggest those risks will increase roughly twice as fast in predominantly Black communities.
The damage will not be limited to coastal communities. Maps based on Nature modeling data show substantial increases in flooding risk concentrated in predominantly Black communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, as well as in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia. They also show hotspots far inland, with landlocked states like West Virginia expected to bear significant increases.
“These impacts are so near-term that climate mitigation is futile, meaning we can only adapt to this increasing risk in areas currently developed,” the authors wrote.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
I'm Genuinely Curious Who You Think Is More 'Famous' In These 26 Celebrity CouplesRyan Reynolds is NOT more famous than Blake Lively tbh.
Les mer »
Birds’ winter habits are shifting as climate, land use changeIf recent winters seem toastier than usual, you are on to something: Winter has become the most rapidly warming season as the effects of human-caused climate change continue.
Les mer »
The US is losing some of its biggest freshwater reservesAs humans draw up more resources and climate change cuts into river basins and snowpacks, freshwater in the US and around the world is growing scarcer.
Les mer »
Serial murders, beatings and beheadings: Violence against the homeless is increasing, advocates sayExperts say the last year has seen a spike in violence against the homeless.
Les mer »
Stock futures inch into positive territory Sunday after a wild week on Wall StreetU.S. stock-index futures recovered from early-session losses Sunday, after Wall Street narrowly avoided its fourth straight weekly loss Friday.
Les mer »