The Highest Towns in Europe: Where Elevation Meets Charm
Land
Oct 10
Cities Most Affected by Climate Change: The Global Hotspots Under Threat
Land
Oct 10
As climate change accelerates, cities across the world are grappling with its increasingly severe impacts. From rising sea levels to intense heatwaves, the effects are not evenly distributed—some cities are experiencing more drastic changes than others. Here, we explore the cities most affected by climate change, where the consequences are already shaping the future of their landscapes, economies, and inhabitants.
Venice has long battled flooding, but the rise in “acqua alta” (high tide) events has surged dramatically—from fewer than 10 per year in the 1920s to more than 60 per year today. As sea levels rise, Venice faces the constant threat of submersion, prompting major infrastructure projects like the MOSE flood barrier to try to save this historic city from disappearing beneath the waves.
In Bangladesh, sea levels are rising at an alarming rate—10 mm per year, nearly double the global average. Dhaka, the country’s capital, is particularly vulnerable as coastal and river flooding becomes more frequent and intense. The rising seas are not just a threat to homes but to livelihoods, displacing millions of people and creating climate refugees.
Beijing has seen its average temperature rise by around 2°C over the past century, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves. With the added strain of droughts, Beijing's water resources are under extreme pressure. The capital city’s climate shifts are symptomatic of the broader environmental challenges faced by the world's largest developing economy.
Jakarta is sinking at one of the fastest rates in the world, with parts of the city subsiding by up to 15 cm per year. Combined with rising sea levels, this has put Indonesia’s capital at severe risk, prompting the government to announce plans to relocate the city’s capital to the island of Borneo—a striking example of climate adaptation on a national scale.
Over the past 25 years, sea levels around Miami have risen by approximately 5 inches, drastically increasing the frequency of flood events, especially during high tides and storms. The city has invested in a variety of mitigation measures, including raising streets and improving drainage systems, but with seas continuing to rise, Miami remains one of the most climate-vulnerable cities in the U.S.
Kiribati, a small island nation, faces an existential threat from sea-level rise. The ocean is creeping up at about 1.2 cm per year, and at that rate, much of Kiribati could become uninhabitable within a few decades. The government has even considered relocating the entire population, highlighting the drastic stakes for low-lying island nations.
Between 2015 and 2018, Cape Town experienced one of the worst droughts in its history, with dam levels falling below 35%. Known as "Day Zero," the moment when the city's water supply would have run out was narrowly avoided through water-saving measures, but the risk of future droughts looms large as climate change intensifies.
In 2014-2015, São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, was hit by a severe drought that caused water reservoirs to drop below 20% capacity. As climate patterns shift, such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, raising concerns over the city’s future water security and the broader impact on agriculture and industry.
Southeastern Louisiana is sinking due to a combination of natural and human-induced factors, and sea levels are rising at an average rate of 9.85 mm per year. For New Orleans, this means increased vulnerability to storms and flooding—exacerbated by hurricanes like Katrina. The city continues to invest heavily in levees and flood defenses, but rising seas remain an ever-present threat.
By 2050, over 40% of Mumbai could be inundated by rising sea levels, according to climate models. With a population of over 20 million people, this coastal city is facing a future of displacement and frequent flooding, placing immense pressure on its infrastructure and economy. Urban planning is racing against time to safeguard low-lying areas from an uncertain future.
Sea-level rise threatens to displace over 4 million people in Ho Chi Minh City by 2100. As one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing cities, the economic and social impacts of climate change are profound. Floods are already becoming more frequent, disrupting daily life and economic activities.
Since 1950, summer temperatures in Buenos Aires have increased by 1.5°C, contributing to longer and more intense heatwaves. While flooding from rivers is also a concern, the rise in temperatures is changing the city’s climate in ways that directly impact its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable populations.
The 2019-2020 bushfire season in Australia was one of the worst on record, with 18.6 million hectares of land scorched. Melbourne, along with other parts of the country, was shrouded in smoke as the fires raged, a grim reminder of how rising temperatures and prolonged droughts have made the Australian landscape increasingly susceptible to wildfires.
In 2020, wildfires burned over 4 million acres in California, much of it near Los Angeles. With higher temperatures and prolonged dry spells becoming the norm, the city faces the constant threat of fire, transforming its landscape and pushing its resources to the limit.
In 2015, Karachi was struck by a heatwave with temperatures reaching a scorching 49°C, claiming over 1,200 lives. As global temperatures rise, such extreme heat events are becoming more frequent, pushing Karachi’s infrastructure to its limits and threatening the health of its residents.
Lagos is witnessing sea levels rise by 3.1 mm per year, putting its dense coastal population at risk. With much of the city’s economy centered around its waterfront, the rising tides pose a serious threat to both livelihoods and infrastructure, with frequent flooding already a growing concern.
Santiago endured a severe 10-year drought from 2010 to 2020, highlighting the long-term water scarcity challenges the city faces. As precipitation patterns shift and snowpacks in the Andes shrink, water shortages are expected to become more severe, endangering both agriculture and urban water supplies.
Athens has seen its maximum summer temperatures frequently exceed 40°C over the past decade, with heatwaves becoming more intense and dangerous. As the city grapples with this extreme heat, the toll on health, infrastructure, and the economy continues to mount.
In 2018, Tokyo experienced a deadly heatwave, with temperatures reaching 41.1°C, leading to over 1,000 deaths. As the country prepares for hotter summers and more frequent heatwaves, the government is exploring new ways to protect its citizens, especially the elderly.
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused $19 billion in damage across New York City, flooding subways, damaging homes, and disrupting power for weeks. As sea levels continue to rise, New York faces increasing risks from storm surges and extreme weather events, pushing the city to rethink its coastal defenses.
London has experienced a 17% increase in winter rainfall over the past century, increasing the risk of flooding. The city is investing heavily in flood defenses, including the iconic Thames Barrier, but with rainfall patterns becoming more unpredictable, managing water levels remains a challenge.
A 0.5-meter rise in sea level could displace up to 4 million people in Egypt’s Nile Delta. Cairo, with its proximity to the Mediterranean, is particularly vulnerable to rising seas, which threaten agricultural productivity, water supplies, and housing for millions.
By 2050, rising seas could impact 1.5 million people in the Kolkata area. With the Ganges delta already prone to flooding, sea-level rise poses a dire threat to the city’s residents and infrastructure, prompting urgent calls for more sustainable urban planning and flood management strategies.
In 2020, Typhoon Vamco struck Manila, causing over $400 million in damages and displacing thousands of people. With sea levels rising and storms becoming more frequent, the Philippines remains one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change.
Rising sea levels are expected to impact over 5 million people in Osaka by the end of the century. As one of Japan’s major economic hubs, the city is preparing for the long-term impacts of climate change, investing in infrastructure to protect its coastline from storm surges and flooding.
As these cities face the growing realities of climate change, the need for global action has never been clearer. Rising seas, scorching heatwaves, and worsening droughts are not isolated events—they are part of a broader pattern that affects us all. The time to act is now, as cities around the world scramble to adapt to a rapidly changing climate and protect their populations from future devastation.