Major Asian cities – including Tokyo, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City and Shanghai – are most at risk from rising sea levels, researchers warned on Thursday, urging authorities to invest more in flood defences and plan to relocate assets and people.
A study by the UK-based risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft analysed 500 cities worldwide with more than one million residents and identified places likely to experience sea level rise of 67 centimetres to 2 metres (26-79 inches) by 2100, in line with scientific estimates if global warming increases at its current pace.
Some scientists and economists believe the survival of modern societies is at risk with the Earth on track for temperature rises.
The study found 11 of the 15 highest-risk cities are in Asia, with Dubai, Alexandria and New York also featuring.
Will Nichols, head of environment and climate change at Verisk Maplecroft – the firm which put together the report, talked to Al Jazeera.
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