College
College of Science
Department
Atmospheric and Earth Science
Abstract
Coastal Washington and Oregon are vulnerable to future inundation due to sea level rise. Inundation would most likely lead to people displaced from their homes and lead to health issues of both mental and physical natures. Using ArcMap, areas most likely to be inundated were identified and the number of people that may be displaced were estimated for 1, 2, and 5 ft of sea level rise scenarios. The amount of Native Americans who live on federally recognized reservations and entities that may be displaced was also estimated. It was found that many of the inundated areas, particularly those within reservations or entities, were in medically underserved areas and health professional shortage areas. It was found that over 200,000 people would be displaced by 1 ft of sea level rise, over 225,000 people by 2 ft, and over 300,000 people by 5 ft. Of those displaced, over 2,100 Native Americans who live on reservations or entities would be displaced by 1 ft of sea level rise, 3,700 Native Americans by 2 ft, and 5,900 Native Americans by 5 ft. About a third of those displaced live in medically underserved areas and over two thirds live in areas that lack primary care and mental health professionals.
Recommended Citation
Suhs, Rachel
(2020)
"The Effects of Sea Level Rise on Health and Displacement in the Pacific Northwest,"
Perpetua: The Journal of Undergraduate Research at UAH: Vol. 5:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://louis.uah.edu/perpetua/vol5/iss1/3