Rising Sea Levels Threaten Boston's Historic Treasures and Much Else

With sea levels around Boston expected to rise anywhere between 2 to 6 feet by the end of the century, and storm surge models showing parts of the city could find themselves under 10 feet of water multiple times a year by 2050, the city is planning for how to deal with what officials consider a "near-term risk." 

Although the city has a comprehensive climate action plan in place, residents like Magdalena Ayed, who lives in publicly-funded housing along the waterfront, "wishes city officials would talk to Boston residents about rising sea level and provide guidance on what local residents should do in response."

Some businesses, like the Boston-based healthcare group Partners for Healthcare, which is building a new rehabilitation hospital in downtown Boston, are taking matters into their own hands. They've designed their hospital to sit more than 12 feet higher than sea level, have located all patient rooms on upper floors, and placed the mechanical equipment on the roof.