Glaciers around the world are melting at an alarming pace, and the effects are showing up close to home. Scientists estimate that from 2000 to 2023, the Earth lost about 6.5 trillion tonnes of glacial ice, causing sea levels to rise by nearly 18 millimeters. In New York City, sea levels are projected to rise by 6 to 9 inches by the 2030s, and in some parts, possibly up to 13 inches, according to a recent New York State climate report. This poses serious risks for neighborhoods along the coast.
In fact, experts predict that sea levels at The Battery in lower Manhattan could rise by 14 to 19 inches by the 2050s, and as much as 30 to 50 inches by the end of the century, compared to late 20th-century levels. Areas already devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 are especially vulnerable. To prepare, New York City has launched projects like the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Plan to shield the city from future storm surges and flooding. But climate scientists warn that unless global carbon emissions are drastically reduced, the flooding risks will grow, putting infrastructure, homes, and lives in jeopardy. More