1 of 3 On hangover days, the sea reaches the beach avenue and leaves the canals of Santos, SP, muddy. — Photo: Archive/A Tribuna On hangover days, the sea reaches the beach avenue and silts up the canals of Santos, SP. — Photo: Archive/A Tribuna
According to a study published this Tuesday (28) by the United Nations (UN) and specialized agencies, the city of Santos, on the coast of São Paulo, is at risk of having part of the coastal area inundated by 2050. According to the material, it is expected that 5% of the population living near the sea will be affected.
“Forecasts show that by 2050, hundreds of densely populated coastal cities will be at increased risk of flooding, including areas where about 5% of the coastal city population lives, including Santos in Brazil, Cotonou in Benin and Calcutta India,” the said UN in a statement. Rio de Janeiro is also mentioned, see the list of all cities below.
According to the 2022 demographic census, Santos has a population of 418,608, or five percent of the 20,930 people who could lose their homes due to rising sea levels. The city council said in a statement that it had taken several measures to avoid the situation. (Check measurements below)
Even if pollutant emissions continue as before, the study suggests that the sea is likely to occupy 10% of the coastal areas of the cities mentioned by the year 2100.
The sea could swallow part of the city of Santos, shows a UN study Photo 1: Archive A Tribuna Jornal Photo 2: Archive A Tribuna Jornal
As reported by Human Climate Horizons, a collaboration between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Climate Impact Laboratory (CIL), new data suggests that the extent of coastal flooding has increased by 20% over the past 20 years due to sea level has increased.
Currently, more than 14 million people around the world live in coastal communities with a 1 in 20 risk of flooding.
1 of 4 Hangover was recorded this Thursday (28) in Santos (SP). 2 of 4 Hangover was recorded this Thursday (28) in Santos (SP). 3 of 4 Hangover was recorded this Thursday (28) in Santos (SP) Photo: Reproduction 4 of 4 Hangover was recorded this Thursday (28) in Santos (SP) Photo: Reproduction
The city is increasingly affected by climate change
In a worstcase scenario with warming and a lack of coastal protection by the end of the century, the study predicts that five percent or more of the cities listed below will fall permanently below sea level. Check out the full list:
- Guayaquil, Ecuador
- Barranquilla, Colombia
- Santos, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Kingston, Jamaica
- Cotonou, Benin
- Calcutta, India
- Perth, Australia
- Newcastle, Australia
- Sydney, Australia
2 out of 3 people watching the surf at Mirante do Leblon Photo: Marcos Serra Lima/G1 People watching the surf at Mirante do Leblon Photo: Marcos Serra Lima/G1
Santos City Hall lists measures:
In a statement, the city administration highlighted some measures to prevent erosion and contain the encroachment of the sea. One of them began in 2018 through a partnership with the University of Campinas (Unicamp) with the placement of an underwater barrier with 49 “L”shaped geotextile bags in Ponta da Praia. The socalled geobags are 275 meters long and filled with sand.
The town hall stressed that monitoring data showed a tendency for sand accumulation in the geobagprotected section. “The work continues and generates more information. Studies are currently being carried out to expand the barriers,” he informed, emphasizing that the pilot project uses lowcost technology, easy maintenance and very low environmental impact.
According to the executive branch, the climate change department was established in 2019 and the municipal climate protection plan was revised in 2021. Last year, the Santos Climate Action Plan (PAC) was launched with 50 goals by 2030.
“PACs initiates the implementation of adaptation and mitigation strategies, policies and targets to address the climate crisis and socioenvironmental vulnerabilities in our community, taking into account the climate change exacerbation scenario highlighted in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Change studies is confirmed (IPCC) and in the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6).”
3 of 3 Sea invades sand strip and sidewalk in Santos (SP) Photo: Santos City Hall/Arquivo Carlos Nogueira Sea invades sand strip and sidewalk in Santos (SP) Photo: Santos City Hall/Arquivo Carlos Nogueira
Goals set by the PAC:
- Review of the master plan and the land use and occupation law taking climate aspects into account;
- Creation and implementation of the “Climate Risk and SocioEnvironmental Vulnerability Index” (ICVS) system and mapping of risk areas;
- Preparation of the housing plan for risk areas;
- Growing 10,000 trees;
- Replacing at least 20% of the public transport fleet with zeroemission vehicles to reduce emissions of pollutants and urban noise.
The goals correspond to eight axes:
- Sustainable urban planning and environment;
- Reducing vulnerabilities and managing climate risks (natural disasters);
- inclusion and reduction of social vulnerability;
- Urban resilience and naturebased solutions;
- Resilience in the coastal zone, estuary, beach, rivers and canals;
- infrastructure management, including water resources, sanitation, transportation and port structure;
- Inventory of greenhouse gas emitters and municipal greenhouse gas reduction plan;
- Governance and participation in climate management.