Degraded Seascapes: The Political Economy of the Dutch Delta Works

Abstract

To some, the topic of storm surge — rising water commonly associated with low-pressure weather systems such as tropical cyclones — might sound mundane, but it could pose a colossal threat to humanity by the end of this century. For instance, one team of researchers found that, due to climate change, average storm surge damages were likely rise from $10 billion to $40 billion in 2014 to possibly $210 trillion ($2100,000 billion) by 2100, representing as much as 9.3 % of global GDP and affecting up to 600 million people.1 Low elevation coastal zones around the world cover only about two percent of landmass but contain more than ten percent of the human population.2 A team of Chinese researchers projected that no less than 57 countries will face significant storm surge impacts by the end of this century.3 Those researchers estimated that Australia and the United States will exhibit the greatest inundated areas; Bangladesh, India, China the most affected populations; and the United States, China, Japan, and Mexico the greatest economic losses.4 An article in Nature warns that “climate change and sea-level rise present major challenges to each of the world’s delta regions, which together harbor about 70% of the world’s population and economic resources.”5 Indeed, by combining future global sea level rise with tide gauge water levels, another research team expects that today’s “once in a century” storm surges might become “once in a decade” storms in the future.6