Climate Change: Coastal Cities Slow to Adapt to Climate Change |

A systematic review has found that coastal cities around the world are slow to adapt to the impacts of climate change, relying more on past and current experiences than on predicting future risks.Cities of naturePublished in

While coastal cities around the world are hotspots for economic growth, they are also vulnerable to rising sea levels and temperatures, and disasters such as storms and floods, all of which are likely to increase due to climate change. However, the impacts of climate change and the technologies needed to mitigate them vary depending on the location of the cities and their social and economic characteristics.

Matthias GarshagenAll over the world199Targeting coastal cities183We analyzed climate change research and examined climate change adaptation measures. As a result, urban adaptation measures have been developed based on past and current events, without considering future scenarios related to climate risks and other trends such as urban growth and poverty, which has led to the discovery of the potential for increased risks and vulnerabilities that cities are exposed to. The authors found that the cities reviewed primarily deal with threats from sea level rise, flooding, storm surges, hurricanes, and coastal erosion. The researchers also found that city governments in high-income countries are more likely to implement infrastructure and institutional responses, such as large-scale dams and urban planning modifications, while in low- and middle-income countries, city governments are more likely to implement and suggest that there is a strong tendency to rely on behavioral adaptations at the household level, such as building houses on stilts and encouraging support from neighbors. Furthermore,GarshagenHighlighting the paucity of published information on adaptation strategies for coastal cities in low- and middle-income countries, or on specific types of adaptation strategies (e.g. ecosystem-based adaptation strategies).

The authors explore what climate adaptation plans will work in the future, especially in resource-poor countries, and how adaptation can be accelerated and made more effective in the most vulnerable coastal cities. They conclude that more research is needed to assess whether this is feasible.

Wanowitz, M., Ajibade, Y., Mash, K.J. And others. Progress and gaps in climate change adaptation in coastal cities around the world. National Cities (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-024-00106-9

doi:10.1038/s44284-024-00106-9

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