Miami: A Future Underwater?

Miami, FL – August 19, 2022 – Miami: Population 6.2 million (and counting). Surrounded by water with the Atlantic Ocean on the Eastern coast and Florida Everglades flooding the West. With rising seas, what does the future hold for a city lying at just 6’ ft. above sea level? The city’s surrounding waters have risen a total of 6 inches in the past 25 years – some of the fastest rates globally. To add to this, saltwater inundation – or what most coastal residents refer to as “sunny day flooding” – is up 400% since 2006. Heavy downpours have intensified, overwhelming drainage systems, and hurricanes are reaching catastrophic intensities at a higher rate.

Worst-case projections for 2100 show South Beach completely flooded and uninhabitable, while downtown Miami and surrounding neighborhoods will experience near-constant street and first-floor flooding (Climate Central). Climate gentrification is at an all-time high as developers and residents set their sights on higher elevations inland, displacing locals in areas like Little Haiti and Allapattah.

Pause. Breathe. Ready to continue?

This bleak future projected, and even those currently being experienced by many, could mean billions of dollars in damages and property loss, further climate gentrification, and inequality. However, these worst-case scenarios aren’t completely inevitable. We may be past the point of mitigation, but if there’s one thing Miami’s resilient communities know how to do it’s adapt. Sea level rise isn’t a problem unique to Miami, and it certainly isn’t the first time we’ve seen it. In fact, as an article from Slate points out, looking at the experience of the Dutch – who reclaimed nearly 20% of their land from the North Sea during previous centuries with much less developed technology – brings insights to the overwhelming problems we’re facing here. 

Granted, Miami’s landscape is particularly unique as it rests on a porous foundation made of limestone. But, we can still take inspiration for the Netherlands’ holistic engineering approach to water management. While developing a similar strategy for Miami will require big funding, strong government leadership, and relentless activism, it’s absolutely dire to the future of our beloved city. From man-made solutions like creating green infrastructure and building elevated structures, to those provided by local ecosystems like natural sea walls created by mangrove forests along the shore, the answers to many problems stemming from sea-level rise exist. It’s up to us to change our course of action.

As local activist and climate change pioneer Sam Van Leer says, “If we can change fast enough, and wield strong leadership, perhaps we can save Miami from drowning.”

Written by Raquel martinez