Climate change is making once-rare coastal floods more likely, study says
A study in *Nature Climate Change* found that once-in-a-century coastal floods now occur 12 times more frequently globally due to human-driven sea level rise, with nearly all extreme events bearing 'human fingerprints' from climate change. Researchers analyzed tide gauge data from over 100 sites, showing human-caused warming became the dominant factor in rising sea levels since the 1960s, while a separate *Science Advances* study linked 58% of major floods from 2000–2018 to climate change.
New research confirms climate change is drastically increasing the frequency of coastal floods worldwide. Floods that previously had a 1% annual chance now strike about 12 times more often, according to a study published in *Nature Climate Change*. The findings, based on tide gauge records from over 100 sites dating back to 1900, reveal human-caused sea level rise—driven by greenhouse gas emissions—has become the primary driver of extreme coastal flooding since the 1960s. Scientists emphasize that nearly all modern coastal floods bear 'human fingerprints' from climate change. A separate study in *Science Advances* found that 58% of extreme ocean heights between 2000 and 2018 were linked to global warming, which has also nearly tripled the number of days exceeding major flood thresholds since the 1970s. Lead author Sönke Dangendorf, an associate professor at Tulane University, noted that fossil fuel emissions remain the dominant factor behind rising seas. The research highlights growing risks for hundreds of millions living in low-lying coastal areas, threatening infrastructure worth billions. Experts warn that current flood defenses are insufficient, urging planners to account for rising costs and funding challenges. Jeff Williams, a retired US Geological Survey oceanographer, stressed the need for proactive adaptation strategies to mitigate future damage. While earlier 20th-century sea level changes were largely natural, human activity has since amplified the trend. The studies suggest today’s risks are underestimated, as climate-driven sea level rise continues to accelerate. Researchers urge immediate action to bolster coastal resilience before further escalation of extreme flooding events.
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