A new report published earlier this month by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says sea levels will rise 10 to 12 inches in the contiguous U.S. by 2050.
The Washington coast could see as much sea level rise — 4 to 6 inches — in the next three decades as it did in the previous century. By the end of the century, the state could see nearly 3 feet in average sea level rise, according to the new projections, a jump from 2 feet in past studies.
How will this effect Seattle and our coastal towns? Ian Miller is a coastal hazards specialist with Washington Sea Grant of the University of Washington. Miller works with coastal communities on the Olympic Peninsula to help them prepare for tsunamis, erosion, flooding and other natural risks exacerbated by climate change. Listen to his interview with Lee Callahan: