Islanders on Chesapeake Bay May Have to Abandon Homes in 50 Years

The Chesapeake Bay may be the site for the first climate change refugees. A new study reveals that this region may be underwater and uninhabitable within 50 years if the current rate of sea level rise continues.

The latest report shows that just 33 percent of Tangier Island's landmass in 1850 now remains. The western portion of the island is also crumbling into the sea, and about 14 feet a year is lost to the sea. The eastern half is also being eaten away-albeit at a slower rate.

"What's amazing is that this is a short flight away from Washington DC, so it's right in our backyard," said David Schulte, who led the new investigation, in an interview with New Scientist. "A lot of people, especially in America, think climate change will happen to someone else, somewhere far away."

Global sea levels rose an average of 1.7 millimeters per year between 1901 and 2010. Along the eastern seaboard of the U.S., though, the rises have been higher at 3.8 millimeters a year. Chesapeake Bay has experienced higher still at 4.4 millimeters per year.

So why is this the case? It's all down to the weakening of currents off the east coast called the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The combined effect causes disproportionate rises in sea level.

With that said, the islands may not be doomed. There's still time to protect against the waves with solid breakwaters and artificial sand dunes. However, it's likely that even with these precautions, the islands will eventually go under if climate change continues.

The findings are published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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