Climate change is expected to have significant impacts on Atlantic City, New Jersey, in the coming decades. Some of the effects are:
- Sea level rise: Atlantic City’s sea level has risen 18.2 inches between 1911 and 2022, more than double the global average1.
- This is due to the combination of melting glaciers and land subsidence. Sea level rise increases the risk of coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and flooding from storm surges and high tides. According to a study by Rutgers University, Atlantic City could see up to 6.3 feet of sea level rise by 2100 under a high-emissions scenario.
- Extreme precipitation: Atlantic City has experienced more intense and frequent rainfall events in the past 20 years, and this trend is projected to continue through the 21st century2. Heavy rainfall can cause flash floods, sewer overflows, water quality degradation, and damage to infrastructure and property. The report by Rutgers University estimates that Atlantic City could see up to 11 percent more annual precipitation and up to 71 percent more days with extreme precipitation by 2100 under a high-emissions scenario.
- Higher temperatures: Atlantic City has warmed by about 3°F since 1895, and this warming is expected to accelerate in the future3. Higher temperatures can increase the demand for cooling, reduce the efficiency of power generation and transmission, worsen air quality and public health, and affect the growth and survival of plants and animals. The report by Rutgers University projects that Atlantic City could see up to 10.8°F of warming by 2100 under a high-emissions scenario.
- Urban heat island effect: Atlantic City is also vulnerable to the urban heat island effect, which is a phenomenon where urban areas are hotter than surrounding rural areas due to the lack of vegetation, abundance of hard surfaces, and human activities. The urban heat island effect can exacerbate the impacts of heat waves and increase energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and health risks. The NJDEP has developed a web application that shows the land surface temperature values for New Jersey from the summer of 2022, which can help identify the urban heat island areas in Atlantic City2.
These are some of the major impacts of climate change on Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, there are also other potential effects that are not yet fully understood or quantified, such as changes in storm patterns, ocean acidification, biodiversity loss, and social and economic disruptions. Therefore, it is important to monitor the climate trends and projections, assess the vulnerabilities and risks, and implement adaptation and mitigation strategies to cope with the challenges posed by climate change. You can learn more about climate change in New Jersey from these websites: New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center, NJDEP Climate Change, [Rutgers Climate Institute].
