Researchers Say Humans May Be To Blame For The Sinking Of Coastal Cities Worldwide

The very buildings that make up New York City’s skyline iconic are also part of what’s making it sink.

That's according to a recent study by the United States Geological Survey. Scientists looked at the more than one million buildings in the Big Apple – totaling more than an estimated 1.7 trillion tons of concrete, metal, and glass -- and found the weight is slowly taking its toll.

"We found areas that were greater than the average, by a significant amount, so as high as 4.5 millimeters per year of subsidence in certain spots," says Tom Parsons, the study’s lead author.

Subsidence is the geological term for "sinking".

Parsons says it's also about where builders are putting that weight. “There's a lot of places where there's been artificial fill placed in New York City to sort of expand the land areas, and so those places where they just dumped dirt in there it hasn't had a chance to consolidate, those places seem to be sinking much faster”.

Experts argue one reason this very slow sinking is such a pressing concern is because the water around New York is rising more quickly. One study says by the 2050’s, the water level may rise eight to thirty inches.

That’s why coastal communities are investing billions of dollars in trying to keep the water away.

“The main takeaway here should be this is yet another factor that's leading to increased risk of impact from climate extremes and climate change,” says Andrew Kruczkiewicz, a researcher at Columbia University Climate School.

He says the data isn't cause for immediate panic, rather immediate planning. “One of the next steps, focusing on the communities that are disproportionately impacted by climate change,” says Kruczkiewicz.

And New York isn't alone. A University of Rhode Island study last year looked at 99 coastal cities around the world and found the vast majority are sinking faster than sea levels are rising. Glaciers from the ice age are also partially to blame.

Scientists aren’t just pointing out the problem. They’re also proposing solutions, like building barriers in bodies of water to combat rising tides.

Another idea is to make sure new buildings are constructed on top of more firm bedrock.

A recent report from the United Nations estimates by 2050, two out of every three people worldwide are likely to be living in cities or other urban centers.