Vietnam and many countries face increased risk of coastal flooding

SGGPO 11/29/2023 08:33

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the risk of coastal flooding is increasing significantly. Over the past two decades, rising sea levels have increased the risk of flooding for 14 million people in coastal areas, and this risk is expected to increase nearly fivefold by 2100.

People move on a flooded street in Lahore, Pakistan, July 5, 2023. Photo: Xinhua

UNDP, in collaboration with the Climate Impact Lab (CIL), released the data via the Human Climate Horizons platform. The tool provides detailed maps of flood risk, highlighting areas where homes and infrastructure are most at risk from rising sea levels. Notably, areas in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia face a serious threat of regular flooding.

Under the most severe global warming scenario, about 160,000 ^{square kilometers of} coastal land could be underwater by 2100. This scenario would affect major coastal cities in countries such as Ecuador, India and Vietnam.

However, the report found that significant emissions reductions could save about half of the land at risk of flooding. UNDP Human Development Report Office Director Pedro Conceicao stressed the need for urgent action to reduce these risks. “Our new study is a reminder to decision-makers attending the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) that the time to act is now,” said Conceicao.

Without effective coastal protection systems, some major cities around the world could see more than 5% of their area submerged by floodwaters by the end of the century, the UNDP warns.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/viet-nam-va-nhieu-quoc-gia-doi-mat-nguy-co-lu-lut-ven-bien-gia-tang-post716127.html