Jakarta, Indonesia, is sinking at a rate of roughly six inches per year, a pace that exemplifies a growing global crisis: the slow submergence of coastal cities. While Jakarta’s plight is particularly acute due to excessive groundwater extraction destabilizing the soil, it is far from alone. From Miami to Venice, and Lagos to Alexandria, low-lying urban centers are facing an increasingly urgent threat from rising sea levels and, in many cases, sinking land, according to reports and observations from the World Economic Forum and local authorities.
The accelerating rate of sea level rise, driven by climate change and exacerbated by human activity, is reshaping coastlines and threatening communities worldwide. Between 1901 and 2018, the average sea level rose by 15–25 centimeters (6–10 inches), with the rate increasing to 2.3 millimeters (0.091 inches) per year since the 1970s. More recently, the decade 2013–2022 saw an even faster rise of 4.62 millimeters (0.182 inches) per year, according to data from Wikipedia.
In Lagos, Nigeria, a rapidly growing megacity, coastal erosion and rising seas are increasing the frequency of devastating floods, disrupting businesses and transportation. Experts warn that even a moderate rise in sea level could have significant consequences for Africa’s largest city, with many communities already experiencing waterlogged streets during the rainy season.
The United States is also facing significant challenges. Houston, Texas, is sinking approximately two inches annually due to groundwater pumping, compounding the impact of increasingly severe storms. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 caused widespread damage, displacing around 30,000 people and leaving neighborhoods submerged for days. Similarly, Virginia Beach, Virginia, is experiencing one of the fastest rates of sea level rise on the East Coast, with water increasingly encroaching on roads and threatening shoreline properties. Experts predict up to 12 feet of sea-level rise by 2100.
The situation is equally dire in other parts of the world. In Bangladesh, experts estimate that 17 percent of the country could be flooded by 2050, potentially displacing millions. Dhaka, despite producing minimal emissions, is highly vulnerable to rising waters, with residents already witnessing water creeping into streets and homes. Venice, Italy, continues to sink at a rate of approximately 0.08 inches per year, and while the Mose flood barrier was intended to provide protection, it has been plagued by delays and proven unreliable during storms.
Further afield, Bangkok, Thailand, is sinking about one centimeter per year, and while the city has implemented measures like the Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park to hold water, these efforts are seen as temporary solutions. New Orleans, Louisiana, with parts of the city already two inches below sea level, remains acutely vulnerable to flooding, as demonstrated by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Rotterdam, The Netherlands, has invested heavily in storm barriers and “water parks,” but experts caution that even these advanced engineering solutions may not be sufficient in the long term.
The threats extend beyond Europe and the Americas. Alexandria, Egypt, is losing its beaches to the rising Mediterranean Sea, with residential areas increasingly at risk of flooding. Miami, Florida, is experiencing frequent street flooding and saltwater contamination, with experts suggesting that the city’s future is uncertain.
The World Economic Forum has highlighted the potential economic consequences of inaction, estimating that rising seas could cost the world $14 trillion a year by 2100. While some cities are attempting to adapt through engineering projects and relocation plans – such as Indonesia’s decision to move its capital to Borneo – the scale of the challenge is immense, and the long-term outlook remains uncertain.