Coastal cities around the world are sinking at an alarming rate, with some areas experiencing a relative sea-level rise of about 6 millimeters per year. This is nearly three times the global coastal average, and it's not just the rising oceans that are to blame.
Key Insights
The main culprits behind this phenomenon are groundwater pumping, oil and gas extraction, and heavy urban development, which all contribute to land subsidence. As the land beneath these cities sinks, the risk of flooding and coastal erosion increases, making the already dangerous rising seas even more treacherous.
