High Ground Is Becoming Hot Property as Sea Level Rises – Scientific American
Article Synopsis – If there’s anything more complicated than the global forces of thermal expansion, ice sheet melt and ocean circulation that contribute to worldwide sea-level rise, it might be the forces of real estate speculation and the race-based historical housing patterns that color present-day gentrification in Miami. Historically black communities on higher ground are increasingly in the sights of speculators and investors. By some estimates, Miami Beach could lose 20% of its population in the next 20 years, and most of them will go inland. These migration patterns could exacerbate the gentrification problem as the very wealthy who live on the coast displace those inland and they displace those a little more inland. Eventually there could be a whole group of people who have no place to go, and that’s going to be a major issue of social unrest. Of course, areas on higher ground will be difficult to live in, too. There are no easy answers. To read the actual article click here.