The List Of US Cities At Risk Of Destruction Because Of Rising Sea Levels Is Frightening to Contemplate

An interactive map made using Climate Central's Coastal Risk Screening Tool to rank the global cities most at risk because of climate change-driven sea-level rise is equal parts shocking and terrifying. The data, compiled by analytic research firm The Swiftest, shows 10 American cities are among the first 36 cities around the globe that face the most immediate risk of being rendered unrecognizable if global sea levels rise by 1.5 meters.

Included on the list are some of the country's largest population centers and most important economic hubs. Benzinga looks at the most at-risk American cities.

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No. 3: New York City

New York City is home to more than 20 million people and the world's largest financial district. Critical infrastructure such as LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, parts of the city's subway system and the financial district would be at heavy risk of flooding or wiped out permanently by a sea level rise of over 1.5 meters. Additionally, billions of dollars worth of Long Island real estate from Jamaica Bay to the Hamptons is at risk.

No. 6: San Francisco

San Francisco is one of America's most beautiful and historic cities. San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area are home to nearly 8 million people. That's in addition to being the epicenter of America's tech industry, a major entry point to the United States for imports and real estate with a combined value almost too high to calculate.

San Francisco attractions and infrastructure at the most immediate risk would be San Francisco International Airport, Treasure Island and the Ferry Building Marketplace. Additionally, port operations all around the San Francisco and San Pablo bays would be adversely affected. Portions of Oakland, Alameda County, Foster City, San Mateo, Richmond and San Rafael would all be at high risk.

No. 7: Miami

Miami and its metro area are home to more than 6 million people. In addition to being an international tourist destination, Miami serves as the gateway to both Latin American travel and trade. The Port of Miami is one of the main entry points to the United States for South American produce and other raw materials.

Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of U.S. consumer goods leave Miami's ports on boats bound for South America every year. All of Miami Beach and Key Biscayne, along with the real estate on those sunny shores could be underwater. Everglades National Park could also be wiped out. Losing Miami as it currently exists would be a huge blow to both Florida and America's economy.  

No. 9: Boston

Boston is known to many Americans as the birthplace of the American Revolution. It's home to over 4 million people and some of America's best universities, including Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In the event of a 1.5-meter sea level rise, the MIT campus, historic Fenway Park (home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team) and Boston Logan International Airport are all at extreme risk.

No. 13: New Orleans and No. 18: Long Beach, California

New Orleans and Long Beach, which share roughly 2 million people between them, are not the largest cities in the country. However, New Orleans is home to one of America's most unique cultural heritages in terms of cuisine and music. It's also the gateway to the Mississippi River and Interstate 10, which funnel products such as oil and seafood throughout the country. 

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Long Beach is home to the Port of Long Beach and adjacent to the Port of Los Angeles, with only an imaginary maritime border between them. If one port floods, both ports flood. Combined, these two ports cover nearly 10,000 acres and handle almost $500 billion in global commerce. Losing one, or both ports would likely devastate the global economy. 

Other US Cities Made The List 

If the list above isn't scary enough, consider that Honolulu, Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, also made the list. The plus 1.5-meter scenario for sea level rise could result in tens of millions of Americans being permanently displaced from their homes and the loss of trillions of dollars worth of commerce, infrastructure and real estate.

If that doesn't scare you, it should. It should scare everyone — especially elected officials and the captains of industry around the world. The risks are too high to ignore. As expensive as some of the proposed solutions to climate change are, the cost of doing nothing likely dwarfs it. The worst-case scenario is too terrifying to contemplate.

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