Global warming is all set to drown California with a massive 5 ft sea level rise predicted for California’s coastline by the year 2100, according to a new study. The report - The Impacts of Sea-Level Rise on  the California Coast - was prepared by the Oakland, CA based non-profit Pacific Institute (www.pacinst.org/) and commissioned by the California Energy Commission, Caltrans and the state Ocean Protection Council.

In the report, the Pacific Institute estimates that 480,000 people; a wide range of critical infrastructure; vast areas of wetlands and other natural ecosystems; and nearly $100 billion in property along the California coast are at increased risk from flooding from a 1.4-meter sea-level rise – if no adaptation actions are taken. You can read the full report here.

The report also explores how vulnerability to sea-level rise will be heightened among Californians who do not have a vehicle, do not speak English, or who live near hazardous waste facilities. Low-income households and communities of color are over-represented in these more vulnerable groups. 

Approximately 1,100 miles of new or modified coastal protection structures – such as dikes and dunes, seawalls, and bulkheads – are needed on the Pacific Coast and San Francisco Bay to protect against coastal flooding. The cost of building new or upgrading existing structures is estimated to be at least $14 billion (in year 2000 dollars), with an additional $1.4 billion per year in maintenance costs.  Nearly 20% of that investment would be needed in Los Angeles County alone, with significant investments required in Orange and San Diego counties, as well.

What they’re talking about is converting the Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego beaches into sandbagged fortresses to prevent the waters from flooding the cities. We’re talking a massive new levee system to prevent California’s coastal communities from being drowned like New Orleans. Only, this Katrina won’t go away. The flooding will be permanent.

Posted on March 13th, 2009 by Thomas
Filed under: California, News