Project

East Coast Sea Level Rise

On the shoreline of the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida, rising seas will impact over 100 million people. Although sea level rise is taking place now in fractions of inches, the impact will accelerate, with mean sea level predicted to be 3 to 6 feet higher by the end of the century.

Even though many people are skeptical of climate change, and certainly not engaged in actions to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gasses, there is no denying that sea level rise will result in catastrophic damage along our coastlines. Rising seas are a relentless, visible indicator of a warming climate, which cannot be ignored or passed off as an anomaly.

To help people visualize the magnitude of this reality, Alex MacLean has captured illustrative aerial images along the coastline from Eastport, Maine to Key West, Florida. The images tell a visual story of the vulnerability of this coastline and highlight local strategies to mitigate and adapt to rising waters.

The photographs from this project advance our knowledge of these critical issues in order to stimulate more determined efforts, both individually and collectively, to stem carbon emissions.

What the Seas Will Swallow

Alex MacLean’s aerial images of the US East Coast convey just how much infrastructure perches in the coastal danger zone.

Meet the Journalist: Alex MacLean

Aerial photographer Alex MacLean addresses the impact of sea-level rise, and current strategies to mitigate it, by capturing images of shoreline vulnerability, catastrophic damage, and strategies for resilience along the coast from Maine to Texas.