Climate crisis laid bare as new map illustrates threat of rising sea levels

Scientists have warned for years about the impact of rising sea levels and now an interactive map can shows exactly where in the UK could be underwater as early as 2030.

The map, made by non-profit Climate Central, shows large parts of England’s east and north-east coast will be vulnerable to rising sea levels unless immediate action is taken to mitigate against global warming. London, Cardiff, Hull, Blackpool and Portsmouth are expected to be the most vulnerable to rising sea levels throughout the UK.

Dr Benjamin Strauss, chief executive of Climate Central, said the map improves upon previous data which tended to “overestimate land heights along the coast”.

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“Our research found that its average error was roughly two metres worldwide, which means millions live closer to sea level and face greater coastal flood risk than earlier data suggested,” he said.

With more precise elevation data, the UK now has further information about which coastal towns will eventually need protection.

“Our greatest hope is that our tools accelerate planning for sea level rise, and so help to avoid as much suffering as possible,” Dr Strauss added.

Areas on the map that are shaded red are projected to be below the annual flood level come 2030.

Large swathes of Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire are predicted to be below sea level by 2030, including an area the size of London spanning nearly 70km in-land. Even by conservative estimates, the coastland running from Cambridge to Hull would need protection, including the Humber estuary.

Flooding along the River Thames and throughout central London could also drastically alter the landscape of the capital city.

The area surrounding Swansea’s coast has also made the climate change hit list, with land from Liverpool running up to Morecambe also set to be submersed.

Northern Ireland and Scotland are not under the same threat as England but some coastal towns remain vulnerable alongside areas of greater Glasgow.

Global leaders pledged to phase out coal-fired power generation at home alongside an agreement to end funding for new coal-burning power plants at the G7 Summit in Cornwall.

Later this year the UK will host the COP26 summit on climate change in Glasgow, with hopes of further galvanising the world’s efforts to tackle global warming.

COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma is expected to say that this is the world’s “best chance” at limiting rising global temperatures to 1.5 degrees.

Full details of the study can be found on Climate Central’s website.