Sea Levels Rising

Due to the increasing average global temperature, more and more of Earth's polar ice is melting and becoming seawater permanently. Seasonally, glaciers and polar ice undergo natural melting during the summer, but they refreeze back to their original mass during the winter. Because of climate change, the amount of ice that refreezes is decreasing every year.

In Hampton Roads in particular, this effect is amplified by the fact that this area is exhibiting signs of sinking. Though the reason is still understudied, it could be due to a variety of factors such as urbanization of wetlands and the coastal geology. Thus, sea level rise and the effects of it—like increased flooding—are more drastic here than in other places on the East Coast.

Maps detailing sea level rise and areas of high risk can be viewed below. More information about sea level rise on a global scale can be found in NOAA's 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report. 

This issue raises a host of environmental justice concerns. Households of lower socioeconomic status will be affected most by climate change. Sea level rise could mean increased flood insurance costs and higher costs of damage repair, and those who live in the most dangerous zones may be financial unable to move somewhere else. 

Many higher-income households own property nearer the coast. With rising sea levels many of these properties will be put under increasing threat. In time some of these residents may be forced to move inland and with a mass movement of wealth the areas they choose to relocate to will change to become more expensive and provide a higher quality of living. 

In a sense, sea level rise would force large-scale gentrification in-land. This would force many residents of lower-income areas into an even more difficult position, needing to pay more for housing and other necessities. The shift of the business model of the area to accommodate the wealthier residents will further exasperate difficulties for the low-income. This is a perfect example of how those least involved in causing climate change are often most affected by it. 

Projections of sea level rise ranging from 0-10 ft.

(In pink) Buildings in Hampton covered by National Flood Insurance Program which is the most affordable form of flood insurance.