Sea level rise is caused by the ocean expanding as it heats up due to global warming and as major stores of ice from glaciers and ice sheets melt.
Around the world, sea level rise and flood-related events are causing billions of dollars in damage. Cities are responding with efforts to enhance their communities’ resilience to flooding. Vancouver is planning for this now, to prevent impacts of major catastrophes and to avoid major costs down the road.
Fraser River flood management
Learn about what we're doing for the Fraser River Foreshore area to reduce flood risk.
Map of sea levels, 2016 and 2100, if no adaptation measures are implemented
Legend
Downtown
English Bay
Kits Beach
Airport
PNE
Stanley Park
UBC
What we're doing to respond to sea level rise
- We commissioned the Coastal Flood Risk Assessment in order to better understand flooding risk for today and in various future scenario, and to develop and compare preliminary adaptation options
- In 2014, we updated the Building Bylaw to include floodplain standards and requirements for floodplain areas
- We have been working with the BC Storm Surge Forecasting Program, which provides storm surge forecasts
- All new coastline projects are incorporating coastal flood risk information to ensure resilient design
- We will be asking the public for input on sea level rise response options over the coming year
What you can do
Learn from local and international experts
We hosted a series of lectures with SFU to discuss how Vancouver will be impacted and what we can do to prepare.
What are king tides?
By 2050, our winter high tides will be more like today’s annual king tide.
Reduce greenhouse gases
Sea level rise is caused by greenhouse gases.
How much do you know about sea level rise?
By City of Vancouver
Take our short quiz to test your knowledge.
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Question one
By City of Vancouver
How many meters of sea level rise are we planning for by 2100?
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Answer one
By City of Vancouver
We are planning for one meter of sea rise for 2100. The Province of BC provided this projection for local municipalities.
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Question two
By City of Vancouver
Sea level rise is partially caused by the melting of land ice and ice sheets adding water to our oceans. What causes this phenomenon?
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Answer two
By City of Vancouver
High levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere, leading to rising air temperatures and the melting of land ice.
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Question three
By City of Vancouver
As the ocean creeps up due to sea level rise, the beach area exposed during low tide will shrink. What is this phenomenon called?
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Answer three
By City of Vancouver
Coastal squeeze. This will result in the loss of habitat of birds, forage fish, mussels, and clams in Vancouver’s shoreline ecosystem.
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Question four
By City of Vancouver
With one meter of sea level rise, how many square kilometres of land in the City of Vancouver will be in the flood plain?
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Answer four
By City of Vancouver
13 square kilometers. This estimate is based on a projected sea level rise of one meter and without flood management interventions.
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Question five
By City of Vancouver
Complete the sentence: The City of Vancouver has a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least __% by the year 2050 through our Renewable City Strategy.
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Answer five
By City of Vancouver
80%. Reducing greenhouse gases will help reduce the amount of sea level rise we will have to adapt to. Learn about the Renewable City Strategy.
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Question six
By City of Vancouver
In 2012, Vancouver City Council adopted which strategy to ensure Vancouver remains vibrant, liveable, and resilient in the face of climate change?
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Answer six
By City of Vancouver
The Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. Because sea levels don’t respond instantly to warming, we are committed to a certain amount of continued sea level rise into the future. Learn more about the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
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Question seven
By City of Vancouver
What action(s) can you take reduce individual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions?
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Answer seven
By City of Vancouver
You can compost your food waste, eat more vegetarian meals, insulate your home and reduce energy leaks, and use transit, cycle, or walk more. These are a few ways that you can curb your emissions and help slow sea level rise.
Documents
Coastal Flood Risk Assessment background
- Phase 1 Report (December 2014)
(12 MB)
Focuses on current and future flood hazard and risk under a range of scenarios - Phase 2 Report (December 2015) (8 MB)
Explores preliminary approaches to prepare for and respond to sea level rise in 11 distinct areas of the city - Coastline maps (16 MB)
Shows flooding along Vancouver's coastline areas due to an extreme storm at high tide in the year 2100 if no adaptation solutions are implemented - Fraser River maps (18 MB)
Shows flooding along Vancouver's Fraser River shoreline due to an extreme storm at high tide in the year 2100 if no adaptation solutions are implemented - Flood Plain Standards and Requirements (1.6 MB)
- Flood Construction Levels (July 9, 2014 Council report) (2.5 MB)
Additional resources
- Adaptation to Sea Level Rise in Metro Vancouver
Source: Adaptation to Climate Change Team
- Projected Sea Level Changes for BC
Source: Province of British Columbia - Sea Level Rise Primer
Source: Province of BC - Guidelines on flood hazard land use management
Source: Ministry of Environment, Province of BC
