A report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts the sea level rise for U.S. states and territories by 2050 will equal that of the previous 100 years, according to a Feb. 15 news release.
The Sea Level Rise Technical Report projects an increase of an additional 10-12 inches for sea levels along the coastline by 2050 with specific amounts varying regionally, mainly due to land height changes.
“For businesses along the coast, knowing what to expect and how to plan for the future is critical. These updated projections will help businesses, and the communities they support, understand risks and make smart investments in the years ahead,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo said.
The Sea Level Rise Technical Report informs the public of projections for all U.S. states and territories by decade for at least the next 100 years. The projections are based on tide gauge and satellite observations and models from the sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The report updates the federal government’s 2017 sea level rise projections. It includes additional information on tide, wind and storm-driven extreme water levels affecting current and future coastal flood risk.
“We must redouble our efforts to cut the greenhouse gases that cause climate change while, at the same time, help our coastal communities become more resilient in the face of rising seas,” Gina McCarthy, national climate advisor, said.
