A well-known island retreat located near Singapore’s southern shoreline is confronting an unclear destiny due to escalating sea levels endangering its picturesque beaches, as reported.
Channel NewsAsia
.
What’s happening?
Since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in 2021, the number of visitors to Sentosa Island has steadily increased. Between April 2022 and March 2023, the island received approximately 13 million tourists. In the subsequent fiscal year, this visitor count rose by about 20%.
16 million visitors
.
The island features multiple attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore and Sentosa AdventureLand. A major attraction of Sentosa lies in its stunning beaches. The island encompasses approximately 10 miles of shorelines, but parts of its coast are now at risk due to increasing sea levels.
People focused on safeguarding the island are considering various measures that must be customized for distinct parts of the area. As an illustration, modifications at the Sentosa Cove marina, home to numerous water-edge enterprises and residences, should ensure passage remains available for sizable yachts to navigate securely out to open waters.
“An unobstructed link to the ocean is essential,” stated James Lam, who serves as the executive director of the Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute at the National University of Singapore.
told
Channel NewsAsia reported, “The most apparent adjustment strategy might involve elevating the ground surrounding the Marina area to better handle potential increases in sea levels in the coming years.”
What makes increasing sea levels significant?
Large portions of Sentosa’s shoreline are vulnerable to being submerged due to rising sea levels.
Tune in now: Gigantic snails taking over New York City?
Singapore’s
Third National Climate Assessment Study
discovered that the average sea level near Singapore could increase by about 4 feet by the end of this century. Should the emission of heat-trapping pollutants into the atmosphere escalate, the sea levels may rise by as much as 7 feet by 2150.
Rising sea levels pose a threat to our nation’s shorelines as well. If the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change
‘s projections for
sea level rises
were to be verified, the map of the United States would look a lot different by 2100. In the worst-case scenario, parts of the Carolinas’ coastline — including at least three coastal counties — would be swallowed up.
The intrusion of saltwater is already impacting ecosystems. A local extinction event in the
Florida Keys
could be the initial extinction triggered by escalating sea levels.
What actions are being taken regarding the increasing sea levels around Sentosa?
Experts suggest that measures for Sentosa could involve reconstructing marine environments using artificial reefs, fortifying coastlines via barrages, and restocking depleted shores with beach nourishment. Singapore has undertaken these initiatives.
invested nearly $19 million
In studies aimed at improving its comprehension and prediction capabilities,
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warming world
.
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, and substituting traditional ranges with
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Authorities discuss strategies to rescue the bustling vacation destination from vanishing completely: ‘It is essential to maintain direct access to the ocean.’
first appeared on
The Cool Down
.