Sea Level Rise as Major Threat to Coastal Areas

摘要

According to the last report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global mean sea-level will continue to rise during the 21 st century and beyond with low crested coasts and beaches being among the most vulnerable ecosystems on Earth. This work analyses the coastal impacts of the combined effect of extreme waves and sea level extremes in Bocagrande, Cartagena (Colombia), one of the most visited touristic destinations in the Caribbean region. When we compare present sea level, storm surges and waves affecting the area with the most pessimistic IPPC scenario regarding increasing greenhouse emissions, our results yield a percentage of flooded area of 97.2%, thus revealing the major threat that represents sea level rise for coastal areas in the Caribbean Sea.