Lesson Plan: Facing the Rising Tide: The Impact of Sea Level Rise on US Coastal Cities

As climate change intensifies, many US coastal cities face the risk of severe flooding by 2100. Iconic landmarks and neighborhoods, from Boston’s Faneuil Hall to Miami Beach, could be submerged under rising seas. The Guardian’s interactive feature offers a vivid glimpse of this future, illustrating the potential impacts if current trends continue. In this lesson, we’ll explore the science behind sea level rise, the consequences for millions of Americans, and the urgent need for mitigation and adaptation strategies to protect coastal communities.

Objective:

Students will critically examine the potential impacts of sea level rise on major US cities by 2100. They will explore the scientific causes, assess the social, economic, and cultural consequences, and discuss solutions and adaptation strategies to confront these challenges.

Materials Needed:

• The Guardian article: “How bad will flooding get by 2100? These AI images show US destinations underwater”
• Interactive photos from the article
• Access to computers/tablets
• NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer, NASA Global Climate Change site, Climate Central Coastal Risk Screening Tool (as homework resources)

Introduction:

Entry Activity:

1. Warm-Up Question: Pose the question: “What do you think our world will look like in 2100 if climate change continues at its current pace?” Have students write a brief response.
2. Class Engagement: Students read the Guardian article and explore the AI-generated images. Ask them to describe what they see, hypothesize the underlying causes, and identify initial reactions to these potential future scenarios.
   • Guided Questioning: “What landmarks or areas are most affected? How might this impact everyday life?”
   • Class Share-Out: Use a think-pair-share format to encourage collaborative discussion of their reactions.
3. Discussion: Transition into the concept of sea level rise by linking students’ observations to climate change. Highlight the role of scientific projections and explain that the images are based on real data models, not fiction.

• Main Activity:

  Part 1: Interactive Exploration

  1. Visual Analysis: In small groups, students explore the interactive images in the article, focusing on different cities (e.g., Miami, New York, Boston). For each city, they will note:
     • Projected water levels
     • Key affected landmarks
     • Population impacts (e.g., communities at risk, socioeconomic data)
  2. Data Interpretation: Encourage students to cross-reference these visual data with information from NASA’s Global Climate Change site and NOAA’s Sea Level Rise Viewer. How does the data support the visual projections?
  3. Group Research: Each group is assigned a city to investigate further. They will research:
     • Current flood preparedness and existing adaptation strategies
     • Social and economic factors that could exacerbate or mitigate future impacts (i.e., economic inequality, tourism, housing policies)
     • Environmental justice concerns: Who will be impacted the most, and why?

  Part 2: Causes and Consequences

  1. Mini-Lecture (Teacher-Led): Present the scientific causes of sea level rise in a clear, accessible way. Include:
     • Melting ice sheets and glaciers
     • Thermal expansion of the oceans as they warm
     • Feedback loops that accelerate these processes

     Integrate visual aids, short videos, or interactive models to illustrate these concepts.

  2. Consequences Brainstorm: In a whole-class discussion, guide students through an exploration of the broader impacts:
     • Displacement of populations: How many people are at risk? Where will they go?
     • Economic impacts: What industries will suffer the most (e.g., tourism, real estate)?
     • Loss of cultural and historical landmarks: Why are these irreplaceable?

  Part 3: Solutions and Adaptations

  1. Research-Based Solutions: Introduce real-world examples of adaptation strategies (e.g., sea walls in the Netherlands, floating communities in Bangladesh). Students evaluate these and brainstorm additional solutions for their assigned cities, such as:
     • Nature-based solutions (e.g., wetlands restoration)
     • Policy-based responses (e.g., climate-resilient zoning laws, green infrastructure)
     • Managed retreat vs. coastal fortifications

     Each group creates a list of potential solutions and presents to the class.

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  Discussion and Reflection:

  Class Debate:

  Debate Topic: “Should we invest in protecting coastal cities or focus on managed retreat?”

  1. Format: Assign groups to take sides (either “protect at all costs” or “focus on managed retreat”). Students present arguments based on their earlier research, balancing costs, environmental impact, and social equity.
  2. Debrief: After the debate, lead a reflection on the complexity of these decisions. Emphasize the need for local solutions that are tailored to specific cities’ needs.
  3. What is your reaction to the photo above, which shows the flooding that ravaged many sections of Asheville, N.C.? What does this photo tell you about the impact of Hurricane Helene? What questions does it raise for you?
  4. 

  Reflective Activity: Think-Pair-Share

  1. Prompt: Have students reflect individually on how sea level rise might affect their own communities. Consider:
     • Are they in a flood-prone area?
     • What kinds of adaptation strategies might work locally?

     Students share their reflections in pairs, followed by a class discussion. Encourage students to think about civic engagement and personal responsibility in climate resilience.

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  Conclusion:

  Summary:

  1. Key Takeaways: Recap the scientific causes of sea level rise, the potential impacts on US cities, and the range of possible adaptation strategies.
  2. Emphasize: The importance of both mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow climate change) and adaptation (preparing for the changes that are already happening).

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  Exit Ticket:

  Prompt: Students write one new thing they learned and one action they can take to address climate change.

  Encourage actionable responses, such as community involvement, lifestyle changes, or advocacy.

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  Homework Assignment:

  Digital Poster or Infographic: Students will create a digital poster that includes:

  • Current flood risks and projections for their assigned city
  • 2100 flooding scenario (based on The Guardian projections)
  • Key adaptation strategies (research-based)
  • Economic, cultural, and social impacts of sea level rise on their city

  Posters can be displayed around the classroom or shared in a virtual gallery.

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  Assessment:

  • Participation in group activities and discussions
  • Quality and depth of city analysis and research
  • Completion and quality of exit tickets and homework assignments (posters)

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  Extension Opportunities:

  1. Cross-Curricular Connections:
     • Geography: Students map out areas most at risk from sea level rise in their own state or country.
     • Social Studies: Investigate the historical significance of coastal landmarks at risk.
     • STEM: Use climate models to explore the science behind sea level predictions in more depth.
  2. Service Learning: Encourage students to get involved in local climate initiatives or coastal clean-up efforts.

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  Additional Resources:

  • NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer: https://coast.noaa.gov/slr/
  • NASA Global Climate Change: https://climate.nasa.gov/
  • Climate Central Coastal Risk Screening Tool: https://coastal.climatecentral.org/
  • NASA Global Climate Change – Sea Level:
    https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/sea-level/
    Provides up-to-date data and information on global sea level rise from NASA.
  • Union of Concerned Scientists – Underwater: Rising Seas, Chronic Floods, and the Implications for US Coastal Real Estate:
    https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/underwater
    A comprehensive report on the potential impacts of sea level rise on coastal properties.