Written by Staff Writer
Sea waters are rising and sinking around the planet and five-star hotel rooms are to blame, according to a controversial new study .
The Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (ICS Marine) based in Tokyo has released its report entitled: “Sea, Tower and Hotel Landscape during a Changing Landscape.”
The researchers analyzed local data from 353 coastal sites in 27 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and found hotels, port buildings and container ships have absorbed much of the land surface.
S.S. Butterya. The harbour has absorbed the elevation and the sea beds have submerged up to 100 meters underwater. Courtesy Shipwrecked Sakhalin
“Hotels are effectively underwater … changes in sea and land elevation that occurred during the construction of hotel buildings in cities of metropolitan areas have increased tidal flooding, inundated coastal cities and extended coastal areas submerged to nearly 100 meters (328 ft),” says the study.
Urban surge
Sea levels along the Asia-Pacific region are rising while land development is expanding. That plays a role in contributing to the flooding caused by urban surge.
“Coastal cities are going to be affected by urban surge … we have built our cities with a highway and a parking lot inside,” says Philip Lloyd, one of the authors of the study.
Building a sea-facing hotel on land lost to rising sea levels will cause more flooding, resulting in a relatively expensive sea wall.
‘Prospects of land remain slim’
Despite claims that some sites will flood in less than 50 years, Lloyd warns “prospects of land remaining slim or decreasing at coastal properties appear high.”
Asia’s coastline is growing most rapidly. China’s coastline went from 6,500 km to 8,000 km during the 20th century, compared to the 70 miles to 130 miles a year of global average sea level rise during the 20th century.
China experienced an average sea level rise of 3 mm a year, three times the global average.
In a video released by the ICS Marine, water is seen rising into the street as the Malacca Strait is flooded.
Scientists are aware of how valuable and sensitive the habitat of these delicate marine habitat is and are trying to find ways to mitigate the effects of climate change.
A global assessment of climate change could impact these sites and affect their ability to provide a livelihood for the local people.
“This report showcases the current ‘ecological decline’ of coastal (sites) in the Asia-Pacific region, but also the potential for local sustainability,” reads the study.
Travelers can help those in need in the coastal community by supporting local tourism initiatives such as tour boats, farms and fishing businesses, Lloyd says.