Rising seas endanger 100 million buildings in Global South: Report

A new study led by McGill University warns that rising sea levels could threaten over 100 million buildings across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, particularly in low-lying, densely populated coastal regions of the Global South. The research involved a detailed building-by-building analysis using elevation data and satellite imagery to assess flood risks under various sea level rise scenarios ranging from 0.5 to 20 meters. Even under the most optimistic emissions reductions, a 0.5-meter rise could inundate around three million buildings, while failure to curb fossil fuel emissions could lead to rises of five meters or more within centuries, putting up to 100 million buildings at risk of regular flooding. The study highlights that sea level rise is an inevitable, long-term consequence of global warming that will continue for centuries, threatening entire communities, infrastructure, and cultural heritage sites. The researchers emphasize the importance of using their publicly available interactive map to help urban planners and policymakers identify high-risk areas and implement climate adaptation strategies such as protective infrastructure