California Beaches Threatened by Rising Sea Levels
Research done by San Francisco State University shows that low-lying California coastlines may be flooded by 2100. It traces global climate change, storm damge and erosion and how these factors are expanding the volume of our oceans.
The beaches that could be affected most are Venice Beach and Malibu in Los Angeles; Ocean Beach in San Francisco; Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County; and Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego County.
The research shows that if sea level rises by 4.6 feet in Malibu, beaches could lose almost $500 million in tourism revenue between now and 2100.
If sea water levels rise by 4.6 feet by the end of the century, Venice beach could be submerged. The damage from flooding and a loss of tourism would be approximately $440 million between now and 2100.
"Understanding the kind of impact sea level rise will have is important for deciding what adaptive action to take," Philip King, associate professor of economics at San Francisco State University said in a news release. "We also found that the economic risks and responses to a changing coastline will vary greatly over time and from beach to beach."
