Hacker News Reader

Comment by RC_ITR | Hacker News Reader

This is not true.

Even in the most cataclysmic scenarios, scientists project Sea level to rise 2m by 2100, and most of Florida is above that level.

https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/what-are-best-and-worst-case...

View on HN

As a researcher in this general area I would not say 2m by 2100 is a consensus view of the worst case scenario see [1].

Here is a useful scenario for understanding what different SLR scenarios mean for the states [2]

[1] https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/chapter/chapter-4-sea-level-rise-a...

[2] https://coast.noaa.gov/slr/

("most of the Florida peninsula will be under water in 50-100 years" is certainly not true, however, Miami would be in a very difficult spot at 2m SLR)

Your link implies less than 2m, strengthening my point?

I said 'even in the most cataclysmic scenarios'

Yes, I was agreeing with you. I apologize for being unclear.

The problem with South Florida isn't that the sea level will rise enough to directly flood everything with seawater but rather with drainage of rainwater. There is already only a small gradient for rainwater to drain off into the ocean. If the ocean level rises even a little then drainage slows and flooding increases. The whole region sits on a karst substrate so dikes aren't effective; they'll need active pumping.

Ok, well 'most of the Florida Peninsula' is significantly above 2m elevation.

Yes, what's your point? That doesn't refute the prediction that even a slight sea level rise will cause more frequent flooding in South Florida due to slower drainage of rainwater.

My point is I was replying to a comment that said most of Florida will be underwater in 2100, which is not true, as I said.

What is your point?

My point is that while most of Florida won't be constantly underwater in 2100, significant parts of it will be underwater more often than they are now unless there are major, expensive upgrades to flood control infrastructure. While the original claim might have been overstated there are likely serious problems coming that will hit Florida harder than most other states.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com