Jen Crilly
Coastal Flooding PSA Questions
Geography/Location- Where is this problem located? Is it just located in the area that you portray in your
PSA?
Coastal flooding is a threat to as many as 3000 cities across the globe. It is an issue on all
continents. The six cities portrayed in the Animoto are just a handful of the countless other locations
that are at risk of being flooded due to rising sea levels. California’s entire coast and Miami Beach are
just a couple other well-known areas in America threatened by this growing issue, though this problem
spans across all borders.
Conditions- What are the conditions like for this to occur? (Environmental- What is occurring? What has
caused this to occur?)
Coastal flooding is either caused by storm surges, such as tsunamis, or rising sea levels as the
result of global warming and melting of the polar ice caps. Coastal flooding has resulted in receding
coastlines and entire water-front cities being flooded. Currently, America’s coasts erode 1-2 feet every
year. It has been predicted that the average rise in sea-level from 1990 to 2080 will be between 22-34
centimeters. Furthermore, a 50 centimeter rise in sea-level would flood up to 50% of North American
coastal wetlands.
Relevance/Impact- Why should the viewers care? How does it affect them personally?
Coastal flooding is relevant to every single human being on earth. This year, the world’s
population reached 7 billion people. As more and more people are born, that means less living space.
Coastal flooding further decreases the amount of livable area in the world as many places become
inundated, making them uninhabitable and altering ecosystems. Small areas with large populations,
mixed with flooding, results in sewage problems and therefore health risks. Coastal flooding is also an
economical issue. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the costs of responding to a sea-level
rise of 50 centimeters by 2100 are estimated at between $20 and $200 billion in the US alone. Within
the next few decades, entire cities, such as Bangkok, Thailand, are predicted to be completely
submerged if the rate of coastal flooding is not reduced.
Actions (People/Govts/NGOs)- What steps need to be taken? What steps have been taken? (Were these
steps successful? If so how? If not, then what needs to change?)
Many countries have sought to establish preventative measures in order to reduce the threat of
coastal flooding; these include building jetties, seawalls, and floodgates, utilizing natural embankments,
and replenishing beaches. In Venice, MOSE, a complex system of flood gates, has been in the works
since 2003. $4.5 billion later, production is supposed to finish this year, 2012. Additionally, American
NGOs are pushing for the government to restore the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO). These
700,000 plus acres of coastal wetlands and waterways have been deteriorating since Hurricane Katrina
hit in 2005. However, all in all the only way to reduce coastal flooding is to reduce global warming.