Singapore, a global financial hub and one of the world’s most advanced cities, is highly exposed to the risks of sea level rise. Situated at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, much of the city is built on reclaimed land, with areas barely above sea level. Rising seas threaten to inundate critical infrastructure, including ports, residential areas, and transportation networks. Coastal flooding is already an ongoing concern, and even small increases in sea level could disrupt daily life and economic activity.
Environmentally, the city-state is facing the loss of vital ecosystems such as mangroves, which provide natural flood protection and support biodiversity. Saltwater intrusion is also degrading freshwater supplies and impacting agriculture in the surrounding areas. The local marine environment, crucial for fisheries and tourism, is at risk due to rising temperatures and ocean acidification, which harm coral reefs and marine life.
Economically, Singapore’s prosperity is closely tied to its port, trade, and tourism sectors, all of which face disruption from climate-induced flooding and infrastructure damage. While the city has invested heavily in flood protection measures, the costs of maintaining and upgrading infrastructure to cope with sea level rise are significant, and low-lying areas may eventually become uninhabitable.
Socially, the effects of sea level rise threaten to displace populations, particularly those living in vulnerable coastal areas. Rising costs of adaptation and the potential loss of land could exacerbate inequality, particularly among low-income communities with fewer resources to cope with these changes. Studying sea level rise in Singapore offers insights into the challenges faced by highly urbanized coastal cities and the need for robust, forward-thinking policies to ensure long-term resilience.