Satellite Data Reveals China's Sinking, Threatening One-Third of Population

Using satellite data, researchers from the University of East Anglia, UK, have made a concerning discovery about land subsidence in China. Their findings, published in the journal 'Science,' reveal that approximately 45 percent of the urban land area analyzed in China is sinking. Among these areas, 16 percent are sinking at a rapid rate of 10 millimeters per year.

This subsidence poses a significant risk to China's urban population, with potentially disastrous consequences if left unaddressed. The study estimates that up to a third of China's urban population, totaling between 55 to 128 million people, could be affected by land subsidence by the year 2120. Hotspots for this phenomenon include major cities like Beijing and Tianjin.

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The research team analyzed 82 cities across China, including populous metropolitan areas like Shanghai and Beijing, representing a total population of nearly 700 million people. They found that land sinking is primarily driven by human activities within urban environments, particularly groundwater withdrawal, which leads to a lowering of the water table.

The consequences of land subsidence extend beyond localized sinking. It can exacerbate climate change and contribute to sea-level rise, posing a particular threat to coastal cities. For example, Shanghai, China's largest city, has experienced subsidence of up to 3 meters over the past century.

The researchers stress the importance of accounting for land sinking in adaptation and resilience plans. Failure to do so could result in catastrophic destruction of infrastructure and loss of life in the coming decades. They emphasize the need for comprehensive models that consider all factors contributing to subsidence, including human activities and climate change.

Addressing the issue of land subsidence requires a coordinated and proactive approach from policymakers, urban planners, and communities. Without intervention, the impacts of subsidence will continue to worsen, posing a significant threat to China's urban population and infrastructure.