As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, scientists reveal many of the world’s cities will be plunged underwater in just 75 years.
In 2100, global sea levels will rise by a staggering 6.2ft (1.9 metres) if carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions continue to increase, say experts in Singapore.
Now, artificial intelligence (AI) reveals exactly what this might look like.
MailOnline turned to Google‘s AI image generator ImageFX to depict nine of the global cities that are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels.
For each city, we gave the command; ‘Show me what it would look like in the year 2100 where sea levels have risen 6.2 feet.’
But can you tell which cities they are? Scroll down for answers.
As scientists already know, climate change results in more intense rainfall because warmer air can hold more moisture.
And because rainfall is increasing on average across the world, the chances of flooding are getting higher.
IMAGE 1: With a population of around 9 million, this Asian city is one of the most densely-populated in the continent
IMAGE 1
Firstly, this Asian city is one of the most densely-populated in the continent, with a population of around nine million.
But the threat of rising sea levels means city planners will have to think fast to prevent it from much of it going underwater by 2100.
This ImageFX artist’s impression shows how authorities have created a raised system of roads to keep traffic higher than the water.
It has also adapted to rising sea levels with island parks, connected by a series of boats, while some of its skyscrapers have turned into ‘vertical forests’.
IMAGE 2
This western city is known for its music, annual festivals and street party atmosphere, making it a popular choice for tourists.
But its CBD appears completely flooded in this ImageFX interpretation, with the water line steadily encroaching one of its many bridges.
IMAGE 2: This western city is known for its music, annual festivals and street party atmosphere, making it a popular choice for tourists
IMAGE 3: With about a quarter of a million residents, this European former city of culture is known for its rich maritime history and architecture
In 2100, commuters may have to get down the city streets with boats instead of cars, or another form of futuristic transport entirely.
IMAGE 3
With about a quarter of a million residents, this European former city of culture is known for its rich maritime history and architecture.
But it’s also one of the most vulnerable to flooding in this particular country due to its location – facing a large tidal estuary.
As a low-lying area, with about 90 per cent of the city below sea level at high tide, it ranks as the second most vulnerable city to flooding after its capital.
Already, a long-duration rainfall event in November 2000 saturated the ground and flooded low-lying areas, while the intense rainfall in June 2007 overwhelmed the city’s drainage systems.
ImageFX also depicts unusual floating pods with glass windows connected by a network of walkways to make up for a loss of land.
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IMAGE 4: Like something from a sci-fi film, this city is transformed under a future hit by climate change, according to ImageFX
Like something from a sci-fi film, this city is transformed under a future hit by climate change, according to ImageFX.
Elevated motorways snake their way over the water past the city’s iconic temples, while flying taxis compensate for the lack of unflooded land.
Meanwhile, massive high speed vessels transport people through the waters, dotted among with its famous tourist boats.
Nearly half of the city is already less than one meter (3.2 feet) above sea level, making it especially vulnerable to flooding, according to Earth Org.
IMAGE 5
Along with Liverpool, this next one must be one of the world’s most famous port cities, founded back in the 9th century.
Historically, it has made its fortune as a major trading hub, gaining a reputation as one of the wealthiest cities in Europe.
However, its position leaves it particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall, inland flooding and storm surges – making evacuation a real possibility in years to come.
IMAGE 5: Along with Liverpool, this next one must be one of the world’s most famous port cities, founded back in the 9th century
IMAGE 6: This city’s extensive network of canals helps provide a constant stream of tourists – but could easily flood streets
For this city, projected costs of a flooding disaster potentially reach €9.3 billion by 2100 under extreme climate scenarios, according to Climate X.
It has already been implementing a range of flood protection measures, such as enhancing dike systems, improving drainage infrastructure and developing early warning systems.
IMAGE 6
This city’s extensive network of canals – totalling more than 160 in all – helps provide a constant stream of tourists all year round.
But they also mean rising sea levels could easily flood the city, putting its historic streets and buildings out of bounds.
In the ImageFX impression, some of the city’s bridges are repurposed as slipways to launch boats into the water.
It looks like visitors will have to make their way around by hailing ridesharing boats instead of renting bicycles.
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IMAGE 7: According to experts, this historic city is notoriously vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme waves, and storm surges
This historic city is notoriously vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme waves, and storm surges.
It has always been at risk of flooding, but these sorts of events have become ‘uncomfortably frequent’ in recent decades, says Royal Museums Greenwich.
In November 2019, it was hit by a tide of water more than 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) high and more than 80 per cent of it was underwater.
If you want to see what a flooding event might look like, James Bond was depicted in a sinking building in this city in the 2006 film ‘Casino Royale’.
IMAGE 8
This Asian city has poor drainage and heavy rainfall – a potentially lethal combination in the rest of the century.
It is home to 14 million people and underwent rapid and disorganized industrial expansion from the 1850s onward, making it vulnerable to natural disasters, according to Earth Org.
The poor economic history of the city has led to poor infrastructure maintenance and city planning, leading to clogged and unsanitary sewage, and sub-optimal canal design,’ it says.
IMAGE 8: This Asian city is highly vulnerable to flooding from the monsoon rainfall between June and September
IMAGE 9: Finally, this popular coastal city and tourist hotspot – especially for young Brits – looks almost unrecognizable
‘A 1-in-100 year flood – whose intensity has a 1 per cent chance of occurring in any given year – most probably driven by a storm surge, could kill hundreds if not thousands and majorly disrupt economic activity.’
IMAGE 9
Finally, this popular coastal city and tourist hotspot – especially for young Brits – looks almost unrecognizable.
Its sunny, subtropical climate and stunning beaches are rendered as something of a lost city surrounded by water.
The local government says on its website: ‘Severe flooding is one of many natural hazards that our city faces every year.’
So did you get them right? See the answers below.
