One of the effects of global warming is the rise in sea levels as a consequence of increasing temperatures. Data from the Copernicus Marine Service show changes in absolute sea level due to land ice loss and the thermal expansion of the oceans. For this reason, many cities vulnerable to the risk of flooding have taken measures over the past decades.
The Netherlands, one of the most affected areas, has a large barrier that protects the city from flooding. It consists of two sluice complexes that discharge excess accumulated water into the Wadden Sea. It was built in 1935 and has since protected thousands of people.
In London, a set of 10 gates spans 520 meters across the width of the River Thames. The barrier closes during high tides to protect London from coastal flooding. It can also be closed during periods of high water flow at one of the dams. The objective of this project, which has been operating for approximately 30 years, is to reduce the risk of flooding in the City of London.
Finally, Venice has a system of 78 mobile gates to protect the city from high waters. This system of dams, called MOSE, measures 1.5 km and began operating in 2021 after one of the worst floods ever recorded in the Venetian city.
The MOSE project, in Italy. Sources : Atlas of the Future, https://atlasofthefuture.org/es/project/mose-project/