Bristol is among the 20 most at-risk places in England for properties to be lost to sea level rise in the next 30 years, according to a study released today (June 15). Nearly 200,000 English properties are at risk of being abandoned by the 2050s according to lead author Paul Sayers, an expert on flood and coastal risks.
Bristol city was named among 20 local authorities that have 2,000 or more properties at risk of being lost to sea level rise, with neighbouring North Somerset topping the national list at number one followed by Sedgemoor also in Somerset. Researchers say since sea level rise responds relatively slowly to changes in global temperatures, these risks in the 2050s are "now almost inevitable, even if emissions are now cut rapidly".
However, they say faster emission cuts will greatly reduce the amount of sea level rise later this century and beyond. Bristol is not the only South West region at risk, with Gloucester and Cornwall also being identified as having at least 2,000 properties under threat.
