By Paolo von Schirach
President, Global Policy Institute; Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Bay Atlantic University, both in Washington, DC
Coastal cities going underwater due to rising sea levels? No problem. Soon enough, hundreds of millions will live in floating homes that will rise with rising sea levels. Is this a viable solution? Let us explore this idea.
We know that global warming is causing enormous problems, from extreme heat in some regions to droughts affecting agriculture and animal husbandry. To this list, we must now add the impact of melting polar caps. Higher temperatures are causing ice at the North and South Poles to turn into seawater. Seawater has a larger volume than ice, leading to progressively rising sea levels as massive amounts of seawater are added to the oceans.
A few hundred years ago, this might not have been a major problem since the planet’s coastal areas were not so densely populated. However, today they are. Hundreds of millions of people around the world live near the sea or river estuaries and are, therefore, affected by higher tides. Large cities like Barcelona, Miami, Shanghai, Rotterdam, and Mumbai are already grappling with the problems caused by rising sea levels. They are investing heavily in placing critical infrastructure on higher ground and building large barriers and sea walls to contain or minimize the impact of frequent flooding caused by storms and rising tides.
Many argue that the only way to stop or reverse this phenomenon is to limit—or better yet, prohibit—the use of fossil fuels, whose combustion releases heat-trapping greenhouse gases that contribute to ice cap melting. Stabilizing global temperatures by halting the use of coal, natural gas, and oil products could prevent additional atmospheric heating and, consequently, additional sea level rises. Ideally, removing massive amounts of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere would lead to “global cooling,” with lower temperatures at the North and South Poles causing the formation of new ice and stabilizing sea levels.
While these “solutions” seem logical, achieving them is virtually impossible in the short to medium term. Despite our efforts to reduce fossil fuel use, these will continue to be the primary energy source for many years to come. A drastic reduction in usage would be ideal, provided cost-effective, non-carbon alternatives are deployable on a large scale soon. Unfortunately, although renewable energy technologies are improving, there is still a long road ahead before mankind can completely abandon fossil fuels.
Hence, the idea of floating houses as a cost-effective, viable solution to rising sea levels. Floating homes rise with the sea, which is not far-fetched given our current technology for building solid, reliable floating structures that can offer all the comforts of land-based homes or commercial buildings. Additionally, placing homes on water eliminates the need to purchase land, potentially making homes cheaper.
Dutch architects and engineers are at the forefront of this field. A large part of the Netherlands is below sea level, and for centuries, the Dutch have been improving ways to keep the ocean out. Some are also working on solutions for island nations like the Maldives, which are directly threatened by rising waters. There is at least one pilot project underway that will result in a floating village, providing reliable housing regardless of ocean water levels.
However, challenges remain. In extreme weather conditions, floating homes will move with the waves, potentially causing major disruptions, necessitating stabilization measures that will increase costs. Additionally, some structural elements will be affected by seawater corrosion, leading to higher maintenance costs.
In conclusion, floating house designs will undoubtedly improve and could become a practical solution for dealing with rising sea levels. While this approach will not eliminate the need for sea walls, dams, and other protective structures for traditional coastal homes, floating homes will offer climate-adapted dwellings for expanding populations.
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