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 on account of 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 solution? Let us delve into this. We know that global warming is causing enormous problems, from extreme heat in some regions of the globe to drought affecting agriculture and animal husbandry. To this list, we now have to add the impact of polar caps melting. Because of higher temperatures, ice at the North and South Poles turns into seawater. Seawater has a larger volume. As a result, with massive increases of seawater added to the oceans, sea levels are progressively rising.

Origin of the problem

A few hundred years ago, this would not have been a major problem since the planet’s coastal areas were not so densely populated. But today they are. Hundreds of millions of people around the world live near the sea or near river estuaries. Therefore, they are affected by higher tides. Large cities like Barcelona, Miami, Shanghai, Rotterdam, and Mumbai are already dealing with the problems caused by rising sea levels.

For instance, they have to budget huge investments to place critical infrastructure on higher ground while building large barriers and sea walls to contain or at least minimize the impact of frequent flooding caused by storms and rising tides.

Cause of rising sea levels

Many forcefully argue that the only way to stop and possibly reverse this rising sea levels phenomenon is to limit – better yet prohibit – the use of fossil fuels whose combustion releases heat-trapping greenhouse gases, which are at the source of ice caps melting. If we could stabilize global temperatures by halting the use of coal, natural gas, and oil products, we could prevent additional atmospheric heating and therefore additional sea level rises.

Better yet, if we could also remove massive amounts of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, then we would have “global cooling.” Lower temperatures at the North and South Poles would cause the formation of new ice, and everything would be fine.

Solution for the problem

While these “solutions” sound logical and good, it is impossible to achieve them, at least in the short and medium term. While we decry fossil fuels, today and for many years to come, they will continue to be the main source of energy. A drastic usage reduction would be wonderful, provided cost-effective, non-carbon alternatives deployable very soon on a gigantic scale.

Sadly, while many around the world are busy improving renewable energy technologies, there is still a long road ahead before mankind will be able to ditch fossil fuels.

Cost-effective floating houses

Hence the idea of floating houses as a cost-effective, viable way to deal with rising sea levels. The house rises with the sea. This is not so far-fetched. We have the technology to build solid, reliable floating structures that can provide all the comforts of land-based houses or commercial buildings. There are also advantages. For instance, placing houses on water means no need to purchase land, therefore cheaper homes.

Not surprisingly, Dutch architects and engineers are leading in this field. A large part of the Netherlands is below sea level. For centuries, the Dutch have been working on and improving upon ways to keep the ocean out.

Some of them are also working to help island nations, such as the Maldives, that are directly threatened by rising waters. There is at least one pilot project that will result in a floating village that will provide reliable housing, regardless of ocean water levels.

Maintenance problem for floating houses

That said, there are still issues to be dealt with. In extreme weather conditions, floating homes will move with the waves, potentially causing major disruptions. Hence the need to stabilize them. This will cost more. Besides, some structural elements will be affected by seawater corrosion. This means higher maintenance costs.

In the final analysis, floating house designs surely will be improved. These houses will become a good way to deal with rising sea levels. Obviously, this approach will not end the need to build sea walls, dams, and other structures to protect the people living in traditional homes in coastal cities around the world. However, at the very least, floating homes will create climate-adapted dwellings for expanding populations.