WILLEMSTAD – Sea level rise poses one of the most serious long-term threats to Curaçao, with new projections showing that the island’s coastline will continue to face increasing erosion and flood risks well beyond this century.
Measurements indicate that sea levels near Curaçao have already risen by approximately 3.8 centimeters per decade since the early 1990s. By 2050, the sea is expected to rise by about 23 to 25 centimeters, regardless of emissions scenario. By 2100, sea level rise could range from 48 centimeters under low emissions to 82 centimeters under high emissions.
The report warns that over the next few centuries, a rise of more than one meter is not a question of if, but when. Higher sea levels will amplify the impact of storm surges and high waves, increasing the risk of flooding in coastal areas where many homes, hotels, and key infrastructure are located.
Scientists emphasize that even if global warming were to stop today, sea levels would continue to rise for hundreds of years due to ocean warming and melting ice sheets, underscoring the need for long-term coastal adaptation planning.