A study predicts a risk of flooding in southern Ukraine by the end of the century
Due to global climate change, the southern part of Ukraine could face the threat of widespread flooding. Environmentalists warn that if sea levels continue to rise, up to 1 million hectares of land could be flooded by the end of the 21st century. The Odesa and Kherson regions, as well as the Crimean Peninsula, are identified as being at risk.
These grim forecasts were released by the well-known environmental organization “Ekodia,” which shared the results of a large-scale study titled “Water Is Near.” According to environmentalists, sea levels are currently rising faster than at any time in the past several thousand years. The scale of this acceleration is staggering: while over the past 3,000 years, minor fluctuations did not exceed 0.2 mm per year, between 1901 and 2010, the average global sea level rose by nearly 20 cm.
Experts clearly link this destructive trend to massive greenhouse gas emissions resulting from rapid industrialization worldwide. Inaction in this area and the rejection of environmental reforms will lead to irreversible changes on Earth within the coming decades.
Such catastrophic consequences for our country are projected if the average global temperature rises by more than 4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century compared to pre-industrial levels.
However, related climatic factors must also be taken into account. If we add the impact of regular powerful storms, storm surges, severe floods, and other natural factors to the direct rise in sea level, the area of potentially dangerous territories could increase to 1 million hectares. To put this into perspective: this area is roughly equivalent to the entire Ternopil region.
Experts identify coastal zones as the most vulnerable to the encroachment of the sea. First and foremost, the risk of flooding and inundation applies to:
- Odesa Oblast;
- the Kherson region;
- the Crimean Peninsula;
- all coastal areas of the Black and Azov Seas;
- the deltas of major rivers and low-lying coastal areas.
Environmentalists emphasize that it is not just wild beaches that could be submerged, but entire resort towns, millions of hectares of fertile farmland, major seaports, and critical industrial infrastructure.
At the same time, the organization “Ekodia” emphasizes that this scenario should not be viewed as a definitive and inevitable future. The published figures merely illustrate the consequences of human inaction.
This is reported with reference to a study by “Ekodia.”
The UNexpects a new global temperature record in 2027 – The Guardian.
The UN has also recognized the right of refugees to seek asylum due to global warming.
As a reminder, the Swiss Glacier Gris has confirmed the threat of global warming.
