10. San Francisco, USA

Most people realize the earthquake danger in San Francisco, yet the enormity of the

potential devastation is almost beyond comprehension. According to the University of California,

research forecasts a 75% probability that an earthquake of a 7 or greater magnitude

will occur by 2086. Will the survivors elect to re-build the majestic city? Will they be

able to? Prior to Katrina, the population of New Orleans was close to 500,000. Afterwards,

the population shrunk by about half. It’s rising again, but the demographics are still

far lower than they were pre-Katrina. The population of San Francisco is about 900,000.

Tall structures abound and there’s no such thing as a completely earthquake proof structure.

In fact, the population of San Francisco is shrinking. Not only is the city pricey, but

many are wondering where they or their relatives may end up with the city’s hazardous coastline

and predicted disasters!

9. Venice, Italy

One of the world’s most romantic cities has been sinking for about a millennium. The

pace has increased rapidly over the last 100 years, with the soil level sinking about 24

centimeters. Venice’s vulnerability to sea and groundwater level change is extremely

serious. For example, 100 years ago St. Mark’s Square flooded around nine time per year,

and now it’s inundated with water 100 times per year. The government has been working

on plans to protect Venice, but will they work? No one knows.

Preserving Venice has been a priority of the Italian Government for about 30 years. Several

billion euros have been dedicated to a major flood defense system, called the MOSE Project.

Proposed since the 1970s, it’s basically a series of floodgates to stretch across three

openings that connect the Venetian Lagoon with the Adriatic Sea. However, the progress

of the project has been checkered with stops and starts, new completion dates and now possible

illegality. In June the Mayor and other top officials were arrested on corruption charges

involving MOSE. It’s been suggested that the City be moved to higher land altogether

to protect its population and precious art and frescoes.

8. Detroit, USA

“Motor City” may become “Abandoned City” as the population of Detroit continues to

decline. If these trends keep up, Detroit will be changed beyond recognition by 2100.

The culprits include major economic and demographic decline, including moves to the suburbs. At

its peak in 1950 the population was 1,850,000, compared with its present 701,000. Global

competition in the automobile industry, significant unemployment, crime rates and severe urban

decay have rocked the city. In 2013, Detroit filed the largest municipal bankruptcy case

in American history. The unemployment rate is 23.1%, and one-third are living below the

poverty level. Parts of the city are already ghost towns as urban decay has set into once

thriving communities. Some areas look completely wild. Detroit also has some of the highest

crime rates in the United States — in 2012 their murder rate was 53 per 100,000, ten

times that of New York City. A 2012 Forbes report named Detroit the most dangerous city

in the United States for the fourth year in a row.

In 2010, Mayor Bing put forth a plan to bulldoze one fourth of the city and concentrate the

population into certain areas to improve the delivery of essential city services. In February

2013 the Detroit Free Press reported the Mayor’s plan to accelerate the program and desire

for federal funding to tackle Detroit’s problems in order to “right size the city’s

resources to reflect its smaller population.”

7. Ivanovo, Russia

This district capital and administrative center of Ivanovo Oblast is in serious decline. Once

a major textile center, the city attracted women seeking work. This created a significant

gender imbalance that gave it the nickname “The City of Brides.”

Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, 60% of the population had to live on food they

grew, a survival strategy known as the “dachma movement.” Growing textile competition from

China and other emerging economies also eroded the economy. The combination of a low birthrate,

high poverty, crime, drug and alcohol abuse, high mortality rates, poor quality of dwellings,

and “grey” businesses have all but destroyed the once thriving city as its youth are leaving

to seek an education and re-settle somewhere with modern industry.

6. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City began as the home of an ancient empire and grew into one of the world’s

largest cities, with more than 20 million people living in this modern metropolis. It’s

built on top of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. It was here where, in 1519, Cortes allegedly

met Montezuma, the Aztec emperor. After conquering the Aztecs, Cortes, in Spanish tradition,

placed the square at the heart of the city, surrounding it by buildings representing the

church and the government. Yet the city, home to Diego Rivera murals, cathedrals and palaces,

is literally sinking. The problem is its base. A dried lake bed makes a poor foundation.

According to government officials, Mexico City is sinking at a rate of four inches a

year and has sunk 10 meters in the past sixty years. So be prepared to walk carefully when

you visit.

5. Banjul, Gambia

The small West African nation of Gambia may lose its capital due to a combination of the

rising ocean and erosion. Banjul is at risk of going underwater as sea levels rise by

one meter as a result of climate change. Settlements will be eroded, and over half of the country’s

mangrove forests and a fifth of its rice fields will be lost. The decrease in rice production

would be disastrous, as would other environmental changes including droughts, floods and storms.

As tourist attractions and fisheries are located in the coastal zones, the economy would be

critically affected. The government is trying to improve coastal defenses, but whether they

can save the city and the coast is unknown.

4. Timbuktu, Mali

When sand dunes advance on fertile land, desertification is a problem. The city in southern Africa

facing the greatest danger was a center of Islamic education during the 15th and 16th

centuries. Timbuktu is over over 1,000 years old and is known for its tourist attractions,

which include beautiful beaches with turquoise reefs and many historical sights. Sadly, your

grandchildren may have to find other exotic locations to go snorkeling, as some parts

are already half buried in sand despite several projects to re-green the area.

3. Naples, Italy

Naples is the magnificent capital of the Italian region Campania and the third-largest municipality

in the country. As of 2012, the population was around 960,000 with an urban area of about

3.5 million, making it one of the largest metropolises on the Mediterranean Sea. One

of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Naples’ historic city center

is the largest in Europe and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Naples has long been a major cultural center with a global sphere of influence, particularly

during the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras. Visitors are treated to historically significant

sites, including the Palace of Caserta and the Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Its nemesis has been the time-bomb, Mount Vesuvius, located in the Bay of Naples. The

volcano that destroyed Pompeii in 79 BC erupts about every 100 years, with the last eruption

coming in 1944. It’s expected to do its damage once again in the mid-2000s, putting

the city and half a million people in the “red zone” if they’re not evacuated

in time.

2. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is in trouble. The city is sinking, while sea levels are rising. Building foundations

are being pushed into the muddy soil and underground aquifers are being drained for drinking water.

Rising sea levels are the real problem, though, with estimates giving the city no more than

a century until the streets become canals. While scientists agree that the problem needs

to be addressed they disagree on the best solution, while the government doesn’t appear

to be looking for any solution at all. The city won’t flood overnight, but if you want

to check out its awesome robot building it may be better to go sooner rather than later.

1. Other American Cities in Jeopardy

Rising seas and global warming have put U.S. coastal cities at risk. Residents should consider

either seeking higher ground or avoiding any long-term investments. Since 1889, global

sea levels have raised about eight inches, and they’re still climbing. Rising seas

dramatically increase the odds of damaging floods from storm surges. One analysis found

the odds of floods occurring by 2030 are on track to double or worse.

Nearly five million Americans live less than four feet above high tide. In decades, New

York City, New Orleans, Boston, Washington D.C., and southeast Florida may be overcome

by flood conditions made worse by climate changes. Other cities that could be affected

include Baltimore, Charleston, Houston, Galveston, Los Angeles, Long Island, Sacramento, Philadelphia,

Delaware, Portland, Providence, San Diego, Savannah, Seattle, Tacoma, Virginia Beach

and Norfolk. That pretty much just leaves Kansas, but then you run into the tornado

problem. And you’d have to live

in Kansas.