As our planet’s climate continues to shift, the impacts are no longer distant forecasts but present-day realities for urban centers across the globe. From rising sea levels to extreme heat and devastating droughts, cities are on the front lines. While every community will face challenges, some major metropolitan areas are uniquely vulnerable due to their geography, infrastructure, and local climate patterns. It’s a sobering look at how our world is changing, and it highlights the urgent need for adaptation and resilience planning. This brings us to a closer examination of 11 cities that will struggle due to climate change.
The struggles these cities face are not monolithic. Some are grappling with the encroaching ocean, while others are battling a relentless lack of water or temperatures that are becoming unbearable. The common thread is that their very habitability and economic stability are under threat. Understanding these specific vulnerabilities helps us see the human and economic cost of inaction and underscores the global nature of the challenge we all share.
Coastal Cities Sinking into the Sea
For many of the world’s great coastal cities, the combination of rising seas and local land subsidence is a perfect storm. These urban areas are quite literally fighting to stay above water.
Miami, USA: Built on porous limestone, Miami is exceptionally vulnerable to sea-level rise. King tides regularly flood streets, and saltwater intrusion threatens its freshwater supply. Despite its booming real estate market, the long-term outlook is one of the most challenging in the United States.
Jakarta, Indonesia: This megacity is sinking at an alarming rate, with some areas dropping nearly 10 inches per year due to excessive groundwater extraction. Combined with rising sea levels, this has prompted the Indonesian government to plan a move of the capital to a new location on Borneo island.
Venice, Italy: The “Floating City” has always battled acqua alta (high water), but the frequency and severity of flooding have increased dramatically. Its famous St. Mark’s Square is now regularly submerged, and while the MOSE barrier system offers some protection, it may be insufficient against future sea-level projections.
Mumbai, India: As a densely populated coastal city built on reclaimed land, Mumbai faces a triple threat from sea-level rise, intense cyclones, and widespread flooding that can paralyze the city and endanger millions of its residents in informal settlements.
Scorching Heat and Parched Lands
Moving inland, other cities face a different but equally dangerous set of problems. Extreme heat and water scarcity are pushing urban infrastructure and human health to their limits.
Phoenix, USA: Located in the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix is no stranger to heat. However, the intensity and duration of heatwaves are breaking records. The “urban heat island” effect, where concrete and asphalt absorb and radiate heat, makes the city even hotter, posing severe health risks and straining energy grids.
New Delhi, India: The Indian capital faces a brutal combination of extreme heat and air pollution. Summer temperatures now regularly soar past 45°C (113°F), while a persistent water crisis means millions struggle to access the water needed for basic survival and cooling.
Cairo, Egypt: This ancient city is feeling the squeeze from a warming climate. Soaring temperatures are compounded by dust storms and the existential threat of water scarcity, as Egypt is heavily dependent on the Nile River, which faces increased evaporation and upstream demand.
Lagos, Nigeria: As one of the world’s fastest-growing megacities, Lagos is vulnerable on multiple fronts. Its coastal location exposes it to flooding and sea-level rise, while its rapid, often unplanned growth leaves many residents exposed to extreme heat with little green space for relief.
A Look at the 11 Cities That Will Struggle Due to Climate Change
While the previous cities highlight specific threats, the list of vulnerable urban areas is diverse and spans the globe. Here is a consolidated look at the full roster of 11 cities that will struggle due to climate change, each facing a unique combination of environmental pressures.
1. Miami, USA: Sinking limestone and sea-level rise.
2. Jakarta, Indonesia: Rapid land subsidence and coastal flooding.
3. Venice, Italy: Frequent and severe Acqua Alta.
4. Mumbai, India: Cyclones and flooding in a dense metropolis.
5. Phoenix, USA: Extreme urban heat and water stress.
6. New Delhi, India: Lethal heatwaves and air pollution.
7. Cairo, Egypt: Desert heat and Nile water scarcity.
8. Lagos, Nigeria: Coastal erosion and urban heat.
9. Bangkok, Thailand: Sinking land and intense rainfall flooding.
10. Santiago, Chile: A decade-long megadrought threatening water supplies.
11. Shanghai, China: Subsidence, sea-level rise, and powerful typhoons.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
Identifying these vulnerabilities is not about writing these cities off. On the contrary, it’s a call to action. Many are already implementing innovative solutions, from Miami’s massive infrastructure investments to Shanghai’s sponge city initiatives designed to absorb and reuse rainwater. The struggle ahead will test the limits of engineering, urban planning, and political will. It also raises profound questions about climate justice, as the most vulnerable populations within these cities are often the hardest hit.
The fate of these urban centers is a powerful reminder that climate change is not an abstract concept. It is reshaping our world in very concrete ways, challenging the long-term viability of places where hundreds of millions of people live, work, and build their lives. Their struggle is a window into a future that requires global cooperation, significant investment in resilience, and a renewed commitment to mitigating the root causes of our warming planet.