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Science Weekly

Why are the world’s cities sinking?

May 7, 2024
Professors Shirzaei and Nicholls discuss the sinking of major cities worldwide due to land subsidence and rising sea levels. They explore causes like groundwater extraction and potential solutions like floating cities. The podcast delves into the challenges faced by sinking cities and the need for innovative approaches to combat the effects of climate change.
16:19

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Urban subsidence is accelerated by human activities like groundwater extraction, impacting cities' stability.
  • Cities can adapt to sinking land by building defenses, elevating structures, or exploring innovative solutions like floating cities.

Deep dives

Issues with Land Subsidence and Rising Sea Levels

Many major cities worldwide are facing the challenge of sinking land, exacerbating the impacts of rising sea levels. Cities like New York City and Jakarta are experiencing significant subsidence, with Jakarta already sinking by 2.5 meters in the past decade. This dual threat not only leads to increased nuisance flooding but also affects cities' infrastructure and overall habitability.

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