South Essex areas that could be underwater by 2050

The COP26 climate conference has seen leaders of across the world converge on Glasgow to discuss how the matter can be addressed.

So far, they have committed to tackling deforestation and methane leaks, while some of the world’s biggest producers of carbon have revealed deadlines for when they plan to become carbon neutral.

The changes need to be made to slow the increase in the global temperature.

This, among many things, is causing sea levels to rise and experts have warned the current rate of change could be catastrophic for parts of south Essex.

Climate Central, a non-profit organisation, have developed an interactive map showing their predictions of the area’s most likely to be worst hit by rising sea levels.

The latest data on the map suggests that huge parts of the county could be below sea level by 2050.

In a report by Climate Central, they warn rising sea levels could push chronic floods higher than land currently home to 300 million people in the next three decades.

Here is what Climate Central is predicting for south Essex and how the region could look in just 29 years from now.

Canvey Island

Canvey Island would be the worst hit with the entire area underwater.

Southend

A large part of Southend would survive rising sea levels with Westcliff, Leigh and Chalkwell avoiding the impact of rising sea levels.

However, Foulness Island could be no more if the map predictions are correct.

Great Wakering, Shoeburyness, Paglesham and parts of Rochford would also be hit quite hard.

Southend Airport should remain above water level.

Thurrock

If the predictions by Climate Central occur, most of Tilbury including East and West and large parts of Grays and Purfleet could be underwater.

Lakeside retail park by the Dartford Crossing would also be submerged as well as parts of the A13 by Lakeside and Stanford-le-Hope.

Grays Chalk Quarry Nature Reserve could also see parts of its land below sea level.