Watery future seen for Asian cities

NEW DELHI—The future will be a watery one for some of the world’s biggest cities.

Predicted sea level increases this century mean many face increased flooding, stronger storm surges and unpredictable weather.

How well coastal cities can cope will dramatically affect quality of life and their economic destiny. Many of the biggest are in Asia, powering economies while housing hundreds of millions of poor in sprawling slums.

Scientists generally agree seas will rise an average of 1 meter this century, though some predict an eventual increase as high as 6 meters on average.

How quickly these changes occur will partly depend on whether negotiators at this week’s UN climate talks in Paris can broker a strong treaty to limit the release of climate-warming greenhouse gases.

But with a certain amount of sea rise considered inevitable as warmer temperatures melt glaciers and expand oceans, cities will have to adapt quickly to spare investors losses and citizens from disaster.

Those unprepared risk being highlighted as poor places to invest.

“It’s difficult for businesses and societies to grasp what’s happening,” said Richard Hewston, an analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, which advises companies on business risks. But some governments now realize “they need to pay attention to these climate risk factors to attract investment.”

Global losses from flooding in coastal cities are already averaging about $6 billion a year, according to a 2013 study. Those losses could rise to $52 billion annually by 2050, it said. AP