Climate change will cost U.S. coastal areas twice what analysts had predicted, according to a new study. Researchers had estimated that preparing coastal cities, repairing property damages, and relocating inhabitants for future sea level rise could have a roughly $500 billion price tag by 2100. But storm surge from tropical cyclones can cause additional local rises in sea level rise; that figure hits about $1 trillion, researchers report this month in Climatic Change. Researchers modeled the combined effects of sea level rise and U.S.-striking tropical cyclones on coastal property around the country. They chose 17 multicounty areas on the Gulf, East, and Pacific coasts and then estimated the impacts to the remaining, nonmodeled coastal areas based on how the modeled areas closest to them were impacted. The team also assumed that society would spend billions on adaptation measures, which studies suggest could be a cost-effective policy measure. Among these measures are abandoning properties in low-level areas, adding more sand to beaches, and building barriers to reduce beach erosion. The costs from sea level rise and storm surge together, including adaptation, total $930 billion to $1.1 trillion nationally by 2100, 84% to 110% higher than from sea level rise alone, the researchers found. The Gulf and East coasts would suffer nearly all the costs. Future costs would be $84 billion to $140 billion lower if emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide were to level off and gradually fall, but most impacts through midcentury are already locked in because emissions cuts take time to work, the researchers say. The study, they warn, doesn’t account for potential additional damages to business activity, infrastructure such as roads and power grids, and natural resources and wildlife.
Increasing numbers of Brits will have booked domestic flights this year thanks to the ‘staycation’ trend.Figures published by VisitEngland revealed that the number of domestic trips taken by Brits between June and August increased by 22 percent compared to the same period last year.The majority of these headed to one of England’s seaside destinations, with resorts recording a 24 percent increase in visitor numbers this summer compared to summer 2008.VisitEngland chief executive James Berresford said that the staycation “has reigned over the course of 2009″.”With people tightening their belts and forgoing overseas travel for a break at home, the staycation stopped being about ‘staying in your house and your own garden’ and became all about getting out there and enjoying the best of England,” he commented.Many popular domestic flights operate within the UK, including those to Newquay in Cornwall, while Exeter and Bournemouth are also well served by regional airports.A VisitEngland poll published last month revealed that nearly three quarters of adults (72 percent) are likely to holiday in England at some point next year.ReturnOne wayMulti-cityFromAdd nearby airports ToAdd nearby airportsDepart14/08/2019Return21/08/2019Cabin Class & Travellers1 adult, EconomyDirect flights onlySearch flights Map RelatedMore city breakers booking flights to ScotlandMore city breakers booking flights to Scotland’Staycationers’ don’t think travel insurance is needed’Staycationers’ don’t think travel insurance is neededBrits booking flights overseas after cold spellTens of millions of Brits are booking cheap flights abroad ahead of their summer holiday