Impacts

Impacts and Coastal Hazards

For Coastal zones:

Increases in sea level rise and frequency of extreme weather events and storm surges result in:

For Infrastructure:

Infrastructure (power lines, buildings, ports, roads) may be affected by sea-level rise, more extreme events, changes in precipitation, and warmer temperatures.

For Water Resources:

With increased risk of flooding, there is a greater risk of drinking water contamination (with agricultural, sewage, industrial, and road runoff into watersheds, and salt water intrusion into groundwater)
With changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, the amount surface water in watersheds may be affected as well

For Marine areas and Fisheries:

Changes in ocean temperatures may affect fish migration patterns and reproduction, which may result in unstable fish populations
Ocean acidification may affect fish stocks while putting marine ecosystems at risk
Increases in severe weather and storm surge events may damage the fleets and wharves of an already tenuous fishing industry
Increased risk of pest problems for wild and farmed species through disease and invasive species migrating north

For Human Health