Jobs at Risk: Sea Level Rise, Coastal Flooding, and Local Economies
This study assesses the exposure of local economies to tidal flooding in the Chesapeake Bay region, finding that nearly 50% more jobs will be exposed to 100-year flooding in 2050.
Abstract
Coastal regions are economically important but also susceptible to sea level rise and flooding. This study assesses the exposure of local economies to tidal flooding in the Chesapeake Bay region using geolocated businesses and employment data. Our results show that approximately 263,500 jobs and $11.1 billion in wage income will be exposed to 100-year flooding by 2050, which is almost 50% higher compared to current conditions due to sea level rise. Several jurisdictions are exposure hotspots with a much higher number or share of jobs and wage income subject to flood risk. We also identify 44 census tracts that have both high flood exposure and high population vulnerability. Our results highlight the need for better coordination between state economic development and climate resilience policies to address the growing challenges of climate change in coastal regions.
