Coastal communities face challenges with sea level rise as populations increase

Coastal communities across the U.S. are seeing economic growth, according to a study from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. But with sea levels rising due to climate change, experts fear more people along the coast is not a good thing.

Researchers with the Center for the Blue Economy at Middlebury Institute explain that the impact of rising sea levels is accelerating. So the more coastal communities continue to grow, more people, businesses, and properties are at risk.

According to researchers, cities and communities in Santa Cruz County are seeing growth in their local economies more so than in Monterey County.

“So we’ve got more and more people in harm’s way, because of the way the economy is growing and where people want to be, and also because of climate change,” said Charles Colgan, Director of Research with the Center for the Blue Economy.

Rising sea levels cause the ocean’s effects to be amplified. That essentially means that all coastal cities across the Monterey Bay face risks that are inevitable.

“In a sense, there’s no single crisis that we need to look at, but it’s the accumulative effect of all these things. And that makes it tougher for people to realize how big the problem is and how they’re going to have to deal with it,” said Colgan.

On the Monterey Peninsula, Cannery Row and the Fisherman’s Wharf are of concern because of the amount of hotels, restaurants and businesses that are right on the water. But the City of Monterey is aware of the risks it faces, as a city that thrives on its coastline.

“This is something that’s going to affect our grandchildren and great grandchildren, so we’re looking long term. What’s going to happen in 2060, what’s going to happen in 2100,” said Kim Cole, Chief of Planning with the City of Monterey.

The city also said it is conducting a vulnerability study. This will assess exactly what parts of the city’s infrastructure are at risk due to coastal erosion and sea levels rising. That includes everything like storm drains, sewers, roadways, and city parks.

The City of Monterey is holding a meeting open to the public on Wednesday, February 24th to discuss strategies to mitigate these coastal risks.