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Protecting Infrastructure and Public Buildings against Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge

Author

Listed:
  • Paul Chinowsky

    (Program in Environmental Design, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA)

  • Jacob Helman

    (Resilient Analytics, Inc., Louisville, CO 80027, USA)

Abstract

The national study analyzes sea level rise (SLR) impacts based on 36 different SLR and storm surge scenarios across 5.7 million geographic locations and 3 time periods. Taking an approach based on engineering design guidelines and current cost estimates, the study details projected cost impacts for states and cities. These impacts are presented from multiple perspectives, including total cost for constructing seawalls, costs per capita, and costs per square kilometer. The purpose of the study is to identify specific locations where infrastructure is vulnerable to rising sea levels. The study finds that Sea Level Rise (SLR) and minimal storm surge is a USD 400 billion threat to the coastline of the lower 48 United States by 2040 that includes a need for at least 80,000 km of protective barriers. The research is limited in its scope to protecting coastal infrastructure with seawalls to enable consistency throughout the study. The study is original in that it is an effort across the lower 48 states to identify infrastructure that is vulnerable, as well as the cost associated with protecting this infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Chinowsky & Jacob Helman, 2021. "Protecting Infrastructure and Public Buildings against Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:19:p:10538-:d:641215
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. L. Oosterhout & E. Koks & P. Beukering & S. Schep & T. Tiggeloven & S. Manen & M. Knaap & C. Duinmeijer & S. L. Buijs, 2023. "An Integrated Assessment of Climate Change Impacts and Implications on Bonaire," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 7(2), pages 147-178, July.
    2. Ramin Safari Ghaleh & Omid Aminoroayaie Yamini & S. Hooman Mousavi & Mohammad Reza Kavianpour, 2021. "Numerical Modeling of Failure Mechanisms in Articulated Concrete Block Mattress as a Sustainable Coastal Protection Structure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-19, November.

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