Sea levels, and coping strategies

Posted on | November 27, 2009 | No Comments

Sea levels, and coping strategies in Rotterdam and Mozambique

Rotterdam – below the sea City

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8362147.stm

Heavily bombed by the Germans during World War II, Europe’s busiest port lacks the rustic charm of Amsterdam.

But city authorities are aiming to turn it into an international showcase for water management, making a virtue out of what was once its biggest threat.

Although the story of Hans Brinker shoving his finger in the dyke to stop it from bursting is a myth, Dutch expertise in this field is not in question.

With much of its land mass below sea-level, the country has been battling the sea for centuries, using dykes and windmills to control the flow of water.

flood dangers in Bangladesh

Risk remains

Daniel Brakman remembers the last time Dutch sea defences were breached – in 1953.

Adapting to change

Rotterdam’s ultimate goal is to make itself climate-proof – able to withstand whatever the weather throws at it – by 2025.

In addition to hi-tech water management systems, the city is also exploiting “soft technology” such as water plazas, green roofs and multi-purpose storage facilities.
Water taxis in Rotterdam
Water taxis may one day ply between floating housing developments

More ambitiously, it plans to develop a 50-hectare (120-acre) floating housing development, with a neighbourhood of environmentally friendly houseboats.

Mozambique

Mozambique is widely cited as one of the countries most affected by climate change – and one of the key concerns is rising sea levels.

The country has one of the longest coastlines in Africa, stretching 2,700 km (1,650 miles). About 13 million people live in coastal areas, and even more live in river deltas.

“Mozambican people are already suffering,” said Environment Minister Alcinda Abreu. Climate change will affect “their living conditions and also their dignity”, she added.

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