If you tune in to the science and politics of global warming/climate change from time to time, you know it's much grimmer than the financial news of the past 6-18 months.
Against that backdrop, maybe we can muster some good news: Manhattan Beach does not appear to be much threatened by the sea-level rises that are…
If you tune in to the science and politics of global warming/climate change from time to time, you know it's much grimmer than the financial news of the past 6-18 months.
Against that backdrop, maybe we can muster some
good news: Manhattan Beach does not appear to be much threatened by the sea-level rises that are projected as a byproduct of climate change. At least for the balance of this century.
This is a conclusion drawn from computer models published as part of a
recent report by the Pacific Institute (click to go to the main page for the report).
Multiple
maps are available (click for the map page), including an interactive Google map that shows the areas of coastal and inland areas at risk of flooding with higher sea levels. (A very cool tool – zoom in a bunch and grab swaths of coastal California to move them around to view which areas are at risk.)
The
local dog trainer (LAT) last week published a couple pics of areas of Venice and Marina Del Rey that would get hit with higher sea levels, but, provincial blog that MBC is, we were really just wondering about MB.
So here's what the computers told us: With a sea-level rise of
1.4 meters (4 feet, 7 inches to those stuck on English measures) – the high end of what's expected by the year 2100 – MB's beach will be less wide, but The Strand looks fairly safe, as do all inland parts of town. (
Blue represents areas "at risk" now in a "100-year coastal flood event," while
purple areas become riskier with the sea level rises.)
Maybe that's what you'd expect if you know the topography of our beaches, but it's nice to know that the pocket-protector crowd agrees.
By contrast, the Hermosa Strand looks sketchier. Maybe building further west than MB did wasn't so wise.
Further south, chunks of Huntington Beach and Seal Beach go underwater fairly easily in a "100-year coastal flood event," even more after sea-level rises. Way south, Imperial Beach gets a bath.
To our north, Pt. Mugu gets inundated. Way north, Santa Cruz gets bisected and the SF Bay Area loses both major airports and lots of coastal development inside the bay. (If you think we're burying the lede here, don't worry, Bay Area folks do not give a rat about anything bad that happens to the LA area.)
So once again, MB is better off than some. The best news may be that your kids or grandkids might still have that patch of dirt you're living on to call home later.
But do reduce your carbon footprint anyway. There's more to life than the sand between your toes.
Please see our blog disclaimer.
Listings presented above are supplied via the MLS and are brokered by a variety of agents and firms, not Dave Fratello or Edge Real Estate Agency, unless so stated with the listing. Images and links to properties above lead to a full MLS display of information, including home details, lot size, all photos, and listing broker and agent information and contact information.
Based on information from California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. as of March 22nd, 2023 at 12:15am PDT. This information is for your personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties you may be interested in purchasing. Display of MLS data is usually deemed reliable but is NOT guaranteed accurate by the MLS. Buyers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all information and should investigate the data themselves or retain appropriate professionals. Information from sources other than the Listing Agent may have been included in the MLS data. Unless otherwise specified in writing, Broker/Agent has not and will not verify any information obtained from other sources. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
