Chart of the Week: US Sea Level Rise
One of global warming’s worst impacts is sea level rise, which occurs as warm ocean waters expand and as ice melts at the poles. Global sea level is projected to rise by an average of about five inches above 2012 levels by 2030, and by about 11 inches by 2045.
But exactly how much the sea rises at any one location is fairly variable. Check out the chart below for an overview of projected sea level rise at a range of different coastal communities within the United States.
These communities also face a range of socioeconomic risk factors that can increase their vulnerability to sea level rise and other climate risks.