A report from McGill University, published in npj Urban Sustainability, warns that rising sea levels could put more than 100 million buildings around the world at regular risk of flooding if emissions from fossil fuels are not rapidly reduced.
The study assesses the long-term impacts of sea level rise on coastal infrastructure across Africa, Southeast Asia, Central and South America. Using detailed satellite mapping and elevation data, researchers estimated how many buildings could be submerged under various sea-level scenarios ranging from 0.5 to 20 meters over the coming centuries.
Even a 0.5-meter rise—expected to occur despite strong emission controls—could submerge around 3 million buildings. A 5-meter or greater rise, which experts warn could happen within a few hundred years, would endanger over 100 million buildings globally.
Many of these structures are located in densely populated, low-lying regions, meaning that entire communities and critical infrastructure — including ports, refineries, and cultural heritage sites — could be affected.
Researchers emphasize that this insight is vital for urban planners, policymakers, and coastal communities as they prepare to confront the inevitable rise in sea levels.
