Even the most conservative estimates for rising sea levels (five
feet at a minimum) would almost completely submerge New Orleans,
Miami Beach, and sizable portions of other American cities
without engineered protection. With "[m]ore than six million
Americans [living] on land less than five feet above the local
high tide," the best case for the impact of a warming planet on
coastal communities will be substantial. However, present trends
seem to indicate a more dire scenario, say Strauss and Kopp. "If
instead we make moderate shifts in energy and industry — using
the kinds of targets that nations have contemplated in
international talks but have failed to pursue — sea level could
still climb past 12 feet just after 2300. It is hard to imagine
what measures might allow many of our great coastal cities to
survive a 12-foot increase." In a stunning infographic
accompanying the article you can explore the impact of various
scenarios (5, 12, and 25 ft sea level rises) on America's
coastal cities. Strauss and Kopp