A primary
consequence of climate change is sea- level rise, and a consequence of sea-level rise is intensified flooding. Higher sea
levels mean that the same storm will flood farther inland than it does
now.
In addition, increasing rainfall
intensity could be another consequence of climate change. Under a
scenario of more intense rainfall, coastal
flooding would be worsened. Beach erosion, also a potential
consequence of climate change, could contribute to flooding as well.
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| Economically
important areas such as coastal recreation resorts are highly vulnerable
to flooding. Cape Cod's economy is driven by tourism based upon
its coastal amenities, thus the effects of chronic flooding have the
potential to be serious. |
The
figure above shows the range of possible sea-level rise scenarios at
Woods Hole, Cape Cod over the next 200 years. The estimates cover
several scenarios, but there is a 95% certainty that the sea level will be
at least 10 inches higher than its current
level by 2100.
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