Title: Climate Impacts on Coastal Areas | Climate Change Impacts | US EPA
Headings: Climate Impacts on Coastal Areas
Climate Change Impacts
Climate Impacts on Coastal Areas
On This Page:
Overview
Key Points
Sea Level Rise
Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts Viewer
Impacts of Changes in Storm Surge and Precipitation
Impacts of Coastal Water Temperature
Climate Ready Estuaries Program
Impacts to Coral Reefs and Shellfish
References

Content: Models based on thermal expansion and ice melt estimate that global sea level is very likely to rise between 1 and 3 feet by the end of the century. Typically, these models do not, however, incorporate all of the possible responses of ice sheets to warmer temperatures, which could further raise sea level, but is unlikely to add more than one foot. [ 2] [4] [5]
For more information on recent and future sea level rise, please visit the Science section. Growing populations and development along the coasts increase the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems to sea level rise. Development can block the inland migration of wetlands in response of sea level rise, and change the amount of sediment delivered to coastal areas and accelerate erosion. For example, coastal Louisiana lost approximately 2000 square miles of wetlands in recent decades due to human alterations of the Mississippi River's sediment system and oil and water extraction that has caused land to sink. As a result of these changes, wetlands do not receive enough sediment to keep up with rising seas, and may no longer function as natural buffers to flooding. [ 6]
Rising sea level also increases the salinity of ground water and pushes salt water further upstream. Higher salinity can make water undrinkable without desalination, and harms many aquatic plants and animals. [ 2]
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Impacts of Changes in Storm Surge and Precipitation
Coastal areas are also vulnerable to increases in the intensity of storm surge and heavy precipitation.