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NYC risks future flooding during hurricanes

Researchers found that the return period for a storm producing a surge of 2.81 meters or greater has been reduced from 3,000 years to just 130 years since human-caused climate change began. This increase in storm surges is attributed to rising sea levels and more intense tropical storms.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 28, 2015

Floods as war weapons

A new study reveals that humans deliberately caused about a third of floods in southwestern Netherlands between 1500 and 2000. The deliberate flooding was used as a tactic during the Eighty Years' War, with significant changes to the landscape resulting from these inundations.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·DateJun 9, 2015

More hurricane surges in the future

New research from the Niels Bohr Institute predicts a tenfold increase in extreme storm surges due to global warming, resulting in 'Katrina' magnitude storms every other year. The study suggests that 0.4 degrees Celcius warming already leads to a doubling of extreme storm surges and an additional 3-4 times increase with further warming.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2013

Venice to suffer fewer storm surges

A study by CSIRO Australia found that the frequency of extreme storm surge events generated by Adriatic Sea tempests could fall by about 30 percent by 2100. This reduction in extreme events may have beneficial consequences for the conservation of Venice, a World Heritage-listed city built on 117 small islands.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalClimatic Change·DateJun 10, 2011

Striking ecological impact on Canada's Arctic coastline linked to global climate change

A recent study by Queen's University researchers reveals that the Arctic coastline is experiencing ecologically unprecedented impacts from global climate change. The team found that saltwater surges caused by rising sea levels have led to widespread die-off of coastal shrubs and dramatic changes in aquatic life.

SourceQueen's University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2011