New Jersey is bracing itself for a devastating sea-level rise, with coastal communities facing an increasingly dire threat of flooding and erosion. According to a recent report by the New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center at Rutgers University, the state can expect between 2.2 and 3.8 feet of sea-level rise by 2100 if current global carbon emissions continue unabated. However, if ice-sheet melt accelerates, seas could potentially rise as high as 4.5 feet.
The report highlights that human-caused climate change is accelerating sea-level rise in New Jersey, with flood hazards rapidly increasing along the state's coast and in communities near tidal rivers, marshes, and wetlands. The study's authors emphasize that sea-level rise poses significant challenges to coastal resilience and adaptation efforts.
Hurricane Sandy, which devastated New Jersey's coastline in 2012, has become a benchmark for the state's vulnerability to sea-level rise. With its flat barrier islands, dense coastal development, and numerous inlets and wetlands, New Jersey is particularly susceptible to these impacts.
The report forecasts that seas at Atlantic City will continue to rise, with an intermediate emissions scenario predicting between 2.9 and 4.7 inches of sea-level rise per decade by 2040 and 2060. This would lead to a significant increase in "flood days" in the city, with projections indicating up to 178 flood days per year by 2050.
Experts warn that compound flooding events, where higher seas combine with storm surge, heavy rains, and swollen rivers, are becoming increasingly common and will continue to worsen. The report also cautions that erosion will worsen, and efforts to combat it may be overwhelmed.
Furthermore, the study highlights that even under a low-emissions scenario, future projected rates of sea-level rise in New Jersey may exceed the pace at which many coastal wetlands are able to adapt. This poses significant risks to the state's barrier islands, particularly those with aquifer pumping systems.
The report emphasizes the importance of continued monitoring and review of sea-level rise estimates every five years to ensure that policymakers can make informed decisions about long-term resilience goals. As Ben Strauss, chief executive of Climate Central, noted, "Surprise is the first law of climate science," and it's essential for scientists to anticipate and prepare for unexpected changes in climate projections.
The study provides a dire warning of the consequences of inaction on sea-level rise, with far-reaching implications for New Jersey's coastal communities and ecosystems.
The report highlights that human-caused climate change is accelerating sea-level rise in New Jersey, with flood hazards rapidly increasing along the state's coast and in communities near tidal rivers, marshes, and wetlands. The study's authors emphasize that sea-level rise poses significant challenges to coastal resilience and adaptation efforts.
Hurricane Sandy, which devastated New Jersey's coastline in 2012, has become a benchmark for the state's vulnerability to sea-level rise. With its flat barrier islands, dense coastal development, and numerous inlets and wetlands, New Jersey is particularly susceptible to these impacts.
The report forecasts that seas at Atlantic City will continue to rise, with an intermediate emissions scenario predicting between 2.9 and 4.7 inches of sea-level rise per decade by 2040 and 2060. This would lead to a significant increase in "flood days" in the city, with projections indicating up to 178 flood days per year by 2050.
Experts warn that compound flooding events, where higher seas combine with storm surge, heavy rains, and swollen rivers, are becoming increasingly common and will continue to worsen. The report also cautions that erosion will worsen, and efforts to combat it may be overwhelmed.
Furthermore, the study highlights that even under a low-emissions scenario, future projected rates of sea-level rise in New Jersey may exceed the pace at which many coastal wetlands are able to adapt. This poses significant risks to the state's barrier islands, particularly those with aquifer pumping systems.
The report emphasizes the importance of continued monitoring and review of sea-level rise estimates every five years to ensure that policymakers can make informed decisions about long-term resilience goals. As Ben Strauss, chief executive of Climate Central, noted, "Surprise is the first law of climate science," and it's essential for scientists to anticipate and prepare for unexpected changes in climate projections.
The study provides a dire warning of the consequences of inaction on sea-level rise, with far-reaching implications for New Jersey's coastal communities and ecosystems.
i feel like nj is being super unfair lol like they got hit by hurricane sandy already and now they gotta deal with rising seas too?? 2-3 feet or more of sea-level rise is like a whole lotta flooding and erosion my heart goes out to all those ppl who live in coastal areas 
we need to take action ASAP!!! 
I'm literally worried about NJ's future if current trends keep going. 4.5ft of sea level rise is wild 
Plus, the thought of "flood days" becoming super common in Atlantic City is kinda scary 
Have we even started making plans for mass migrations yet? Shouldn't we prioritize building sea walls & adapting infrastructure instead of just 'monitoring' changes? 
and flooding is just gonna get worse with climate change lol, its like we're being punished for existing on the planet 
seriously though, what r u people doin to stop this?? 
we need to keep our fingers crossed that climate scientists can nail down those projections and come up with some solid plans to combat this sea-level rise 
coastal communities are already struggling and if we dont do something about climate change they'll be completely destroyed 
and the worst part is, we know this is gonna happen because of global warming. climate change is no joke, folks