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If the climate changes, no one can say for sure what impact it will have on America’s largest cities. But a new report suggests a handful of locations will bear the brunt of Mother Nature’s wrath.
Recently, Moody’s Analytics released a report that ranked the US cities most likely to face adverse climate impacts, based on two risk categories:
- Long-term exposure to drought, extreme heat, and sea level rise
- Short-term exposure to hurricanes, wildfires and floods
Below are the cities most at risk from the effects of climate change.
10. North Harbor, Florida
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North Port recently felt the full force of nature’s fury when Hurricane Ian slammed into this area of Florida’s west coast, causing both wind damage and flooding.
As the planet warms, the region could face more problems.
9.West Palm Beach, Fla
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On the opposite coast of Florida, too, the risk from climate change is high, and not just from rising sea levels.
Reports suggest night-time temperatures in West Palm Beach have already risen by 5 degrees over the past decade, at least in part due to more heat being absorbed by parking lots, streets and buildings.
8. Wilmington, Delaware
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The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Coastal Program projects sea levels in Wilmington will rise by 1.7 to 5 feet by 2100, which could lead to increased flooding.
7. Tucson, Arizona
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According to ClimateCheck, between 1985 and 2005, the temperature in Tucson averaged seven days above 106.2 degrees Fahrenheit per year.
By 2050, this number is expected to increase to 41 days per year.
6. Phoenix
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Do you think it’s hot in Phoenix now? Estimates suggest summer temperatures could reach a sweltering 114 degrees by 2100.
5. Oakland, California
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On its website, the City of Oakland lays out the stark reality its citizens face:
“Even if Oakland’s contribution to the climate crisis ended tomorrow, our city would still be affected by climate change. Atmospheric carbon will continue to affect sea level rise, wildfires and other threats.”
4. Long Island, New York
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Part of Long Island’s beauty is that it’s surrounded by water. But this fact also puts the area in danger, especially when sea levels rise.
3. New York City
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Statewide temperatures in upstate New York have warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970, according to the state’s Environment Department.
With a projected increase of another 3 degrees by 2080, the worst of climate change’s impacts on the Big Apple and other parts of New York could be yet to come.
2. Cape Coral, Fla
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According to ClimateCheck, around 99% of Cape Coral’s buildings are at risk of flooding. Additionally, approximately 22% of the buildings in the southwest Florida city are at significant wildfire risk.
Climate change could exacerbate both of these risks.
1. San Francisco
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As in neighboring Oakland, government leaders are uncompromising when describing San Francisco’s future. According to California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment:
“Almost every aspect of the Bay Delta ecosystems will be affected by climate change as a result of sea level rise, air temperature rise, changes in precipitation, sediment supply and more. All natural areas of the coast need to adapt or change.”
