Sea level risen and waves are crash over a flooded park bench

Adapting to sea level rise

Expected future changes

The province of BC currently advises cities to plan for:  

  • Half a metre of sea level rise by 2050 
  • One meter by 2100

Learn more about expected sea level changes (163 KB)

Globally, sea levels are rising because of a combination of melting glaciers and thermal expansion of sea water from warmer temperatures.

In Vancouver, 1 meter of sea level rise would result in 13 square kilometres of land being in the floodplain.

Map of sea levels, 2016 and 2100, if no adaptation measures are implemented

Sea level image showing 2016 conditions Projected sea level rise during extreme storm in 2100

Legend

  • Icon image of buildings Downtown
  • Icon image of waves English Bay
  • Icon image of a beach umbrella Kits Beach
  • Icon immage of an airplane Airport
  • Icon image of a ferris wheel PNE
  • Icon image of trees Stanley Park
  • Icon image of a university building UBC

Building the future we want

 A city that is resilient to sea-level rise means:

  • Safer shorelines and continued access to treasured coastal areas
  • Planning for the future with a citywide coastal adaptation and flood management policy
  • Trying out creative approaches to coastal resilience, such as nature-based solutions

Help us document rising sea levels

Take photos of king tides or coastal flooding in Vancouver. These photos will help us better understand how the shoreline is changing.

Email your photos to sealevelrise@vancouver.ca or post to social and tag us @greenestcity.

What you can do

Learn from experts

We hosted a series of lectures with SFU to discuss how Vancouver will be impacted and what we can do to prepare.

Opportunities for climate leaders

Learn about City programs that will help you reduce your carbon footprint at home and work, find volunteer opportunities, and more.

Contact

sealevelrise@vancouver.ca

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