Delaware May Shrink 11% by 2100 Due to Sea Level Rise

Delaware, being the 6th most densely populated state in the US, must have some lifestyle appeal going for it, but, let's face it, it ain't very big, and therefore really can't afford to lose any size. Minus a couple, three chicken farms, it might be forced to fill out the forms for becoming a large county in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. Or maybe like Pluto, it would be re-classified as a dwarf state, or something.

All kidding aside, this report from WHYY's excellent radio show, The Pulse, details how Delaware officials are scrambling to protect its relatively meager landmass, its historic neighborhoods, and a critical part of its economy from the effects of climate change, sea level rise (SLR), and stronger storms.

Predictive maps show that most of the [Wilmington neighborhood of Southbridge] would be permanently covered by water if sea levels rise by a meter and a half, the upper limit state officials are preparing for by century's end.

Eleven percent of Delaware's landmass could be inundated by 2100, according to state projections...

"One of the things that we're really trying to make sure that people understand is that sea level rise is not just an issue for people with giant houses along the ocean," said Susan Love, a coastal programs planner for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

Geez, that's strange. I mean, it's almost like Susan Love had a particular group of people with an extremely ignorant take on SLR in mind when she said that.

Nah. Never mind. Must be my imagination.