Climate Change and Asia’s Sinking Cities

A new report by Greenpeace East Asia predicted at the risks in seven regional cities, concluding that in these metropolises alone, more than 15 million people could be affected by rising sea levels and flooding by 2030.

Context

A new report by Greenpeace East Asia predicted at the risks in seven regional cities, concluding that in these metropolises alone, more than 15 million people could be affected by rising sea levels and flooding by 2030.

Key findings of the report

• The cities which are at higher risk of sinking include Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta.
• Bangkok is kept at the top among the most affected cities.
• More than ten million people will be affected in the Thai capital if a ten-year flood occurred at 2030 sea levels.
• This will jeopardize 96% of the city’s GDP more than $500 billion calculated at purchasing power parity.
• The economic risk is also higher in Manila, where 87% of the GDP and around 1.5 million people would be at risk in 2030.
• The City of Manila’s excessive groundwater extraction is causing it to sink by 10 cm annually.
• Out of the East Asian cities in the report, Taipei and Tokyo are expected to be most at risk.