Climate change, a global crisis, is the long-term shift in temperatures and weather patterns caused by natural factors and many human activities. Though climate change has been happening for a long time, extreme changes to the global climate are caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial practices, and the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Since the mid-20th century, global temperatures have risen with increased carbon dioxide and methane levels.
In March 2024, the global average concentration of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) was 4.8ppm higher than in March 2023; this marks the highest ever recorded. Since pre-industrial times, there has been a sharp 50 per cent increase in atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels. This has been unprecedented over the last several million years. Climate change has also caused the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, hurricanes, drought, heat waves, and heavy rainfall. Yields of major crops like Maize, Wheat, and Soya have reduced. This will put another 183 million people on the verge of starvation. Various regions worldwide are already experiencing water issues, which will only worsen as water availability is vital for drinking, agriculture, and industrial processes. Ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural habitats will slowly die with increased species extinction rates.
Deltas behave like a two-edged sword. Historically, they played a vital role in the prosperity of early settlements, but with time, they became an environmental constraint as settlements began to grow and prosper. Land subsidence is the biggest challenge facing many of the delta cities of the world. Land subsidence is the gradual or sudden sinking of the earth's surface due to the removal of subsurface earth materials. One such delta city is Jakarta, Indonesia’s most populous mega-capital city, which is sinking due to a tsunami of human activities. These activities have resulted in land subsidence and alarming rates of rising Java sea waters. Jakarta is sinking faster than any other big city in the world. 40 per cent of Jakarta is now underwater, and sea levels rise at 3.6mm per year, so the city's future looks grave.
This disaster was primarily caused by the over-extraction of groundwater, which caused the land to sink. There is an increased risk of damage due to the effects of climate change. Three glaciers are melting, raising sea levels: Antarctica in the Southern polar region, Greenland in the North, and the Himalayan mountains. This has resulted in the expansion of the sea, putting the coastal areas in danger of submerging. In addition to this, Jakarta routinely experiences floods due to heavy rainfall upstream. The Indonesian government is considering shifting the capital city to Nusantara, which is being developed in East Kalimantan in Borneo, which is in the rainforests. The government is also constructing the extra high coastal wall, a quasi-temporary barrier to hold back the rising sea and compensate for subsidence. With subsidence at the current rate, the Coastal Wall itself may be underwater by 2030.
Jakarta is not alone in facing the threat of sinking due to climate change. Cities across the globe, from Bangkok, Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; New Orleans, USA; Venice, Italy; and Mexico City, Mexico, are all grappling with the challenges posed by climate change and human activities like groundwater extraction, construction, and urbanization. Bangkok was built on flat, low-lying, soft, and compressed clay land. According to a 2024 study, the mean Line-of-Sight (LOS) velocity of subsidence was found to be approximately -7.0 mm/year, with some areas, such as Ayutthaya, experiencing rates as high as -53.5 mm/year. Excessive groundwater extraction has resulted in significant land subsidence. It is also threatened by floods annually.
Ho Chi Minh City is also one of the fastest-sinking coastal cities in the world. Subsidence rates average 8mm per year. With these rates and the city's low elevation, it faces significant flooding. High tides exceed 1.5m, leading to extensive flooding of low-lying areas. The frequency of rainfall has also increased, creating challenges for the city's drainage system. New Orleans, USA, was founded along the Mississippi River. Initially, the town was above sea level, surrounded by swamps and marshland. Over time, urban expansion required draining these wetlands, which inadvertently led to land subsidence. Since much of New Orleans is below sea level, flooding from storms and rising sea levels are significant threats.
The city is a "bowl" with water all around it, and some parts are up to 10 feet below sea level. Venice is built on 120 small islands in a shallow lagoon, making it more vulnerable to rising sea levels and natural subsidence. High water events have become severe and frequent in Venice. In November 2019, the city experienced its second-worst flood, with water levels rising to 187 cm and drowning over 80 per cent of the town. Because of the city's low elevation and sinking foundations, storm surges and high tides have a more significant impact and worsen the floods. Mexico City, built on a former lakebed, is sinking alarmingly quickly; subsidence is up to 50 centimeters yearly in certain places. The primary cause of this is the compaction of the soft clay soil brought on by excessive groundwater withdrawal. The sinking has caused widespread infrastructure damage, such as broken buildings and roads, raising the danger of flooding. The city's drainage systems are also in poor condition, challenging flood management. Mexico City faces significant challenges in urban planning and infrastructure development.
The World Health Organization predicts climate change will lead to around 250,000 deaths annually from 2030 to 2050. By 2100, 50 per cent to 75 per cent of the world population will face life-threatening circumstances due to extreme heat and humidity. This is not a problem that minor adjustments can solve; it demands profound lifestyle and behavioral changes. The future is not a far-off point. It comes in daily doses; it must be noticed and understood. If we ignore the rising sea levels and the effects of global warming today, we will face a bleak tomorrow. The human race must take responsibility and take actionable climate-save steps to ensure a sustainable future for generations.
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