Rising sea levels: A tale of two cities
By Michael Hirst in Rotterdam and Kate McGeown in Maputo When people talk about the impact of rising sea levels, they often think of small island states that risk being submerged if global warming continues unchecked. But it’s not only those on low-lying islands who are in danger. Millions of people live by the sea – and are dependent on it for their livelihoods – and many of the world’s largest cities are on the coast. By 2050 the number of people living in delta cities is set to increase by as much as 70%, experts suggest, vastly increasing the number of those at risk. To shed light the impact of rising sea levels, we are taking a close look at two very different cities, Rotterdam and Maputo, and their varying responses to the problem. Much of Rotterdam – Europe’s busiest port city – lies several metres below sea level, and this vulnerable position has led it to develop some of the best flood protection in the world. As the capital of Mozambique – one of the world’s poorest countries, and one that is already feeling the effects of climate change – Maputo is struggling to provide cost-effective measures to mitigate the effects of the rising waters. Authorities in both cities know urgent action is needed to protect their populations, and both are trying to rise to the challenge. … While scientists cannot give an exact figure of how much the sea has already risen in Mozambique, the effects are already obvious. “I went to the beach a lot as a child, and I’ve noticed things are changing,” said 34-year-old Jose, who lives in Maputo. “The water is eating the land – little by little it’s eating the land.” …
