Experts have warned that Poland’s coastal city of Gdańsk could face catastrophic flooding within 100 years due to rising sea levels driven by climate change.
The threat also extends to other northern Polish cities of Gdynia, Sopot, Elbląg and Hel, simulations by scientists from Climate Central show.
Tymon Zieliński, from the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, said: “Any sane climate scientist will tell you that these things will happen on a scale that is predictable for the next generation.”
He pointed out that unsustainable tourism practices, such as building hotels on the beach, are contributing to Gdańsk’s vulnerability.
He said: “This is a crime against nature, but also a threat to the rest of the area, as it weakens the natural barrier against storms and the sea.
“It is the only natural barrier against the consequences of climate change in the form of rising sea levels, which is advancing because the ocean is becoming increasingly warmer, as well as extreme oceanic phenomena.”
The authorities in Gdańsk have said that they are aware of the growing threat. Outlining the policies enacted by the city administration, Piotr Kryszewski, managing director for Green Gdańsk at the City Hall, said: “We are cooperating with the Maritime Office, which is responsible for investments protecting the coastal strip.
“The city’s priority remains protection against the effects of heavy rainfall.”
Initiatives such as building retention tanks and rain gardens are part of the ongoing effort to address the flood risk posed by heavy rainfall.
Poland faced devastating flooding in September, which devastated large parts of its southwestern regions, claiming nine lives and causing an estimated 11 billion złoty (€2.65 billion) in damages.
Tymon Zieliński, from the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, said: “Any sane climate scientist will tell you that these things will happen on a scale that is predictable for the next generation.”
He pointed out that unsustainable tourism practices, such as building hotels on the beach, are contributing to Gdańsk’s vulnerability.
He said: “This is a crime against nature, but also a threat to the rest of the area, as it weakens the natural barrier against storms and the sea.
“It is the only natural barrier against the consequences of climate change in the form of rising sea levels, which is advancing because the ocean is becoming increasingly warmer, as well as extreme oceanic phenomena.”
The authorities in Gdańsk have said that they are aware of the growing threat. Outlining the policies enacted by the city administration, Piotr Kryszewski, managing director for Green Gdańsk at the City Hall, said: “We are cooperating with the Maritime Office, which is responsible for investments protecting the coastal strip.
“The city’s priority remains protection against the effects of heavy rainfall.”
Initiatives such as building retention tanks and rain gardens are part of the ongoing effort to address the flood risk posed by heavy rainfall.
Poland faced devastating flooding in September, which devastated large parts of its southwestern regions, claiming nine lives and causing an estimated 11 billion złoty (€2.65 billion) in damages.
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