Mark Zuckerberg's new Miami mansion sits at climate change ground zero

"Like much of Miami, the area faces mounting climate risks. Miami's sea levels have risen eight inches since 1950. By 2040, the water is projected to be 10 to 17 inches higher than it was in 2000. As the water rises, that's making "sunny day" flooding from high tides more common-up 400% over the last 20 years in Miami Beach-and storm surges are increasingly dangerous."

"First Street, an organization that analyzes climate risk for specific properties, doesn't yet have data for Zuckerberg's house, which was newly built. But it estimates that a home down the street faces "severe" flood risk, with the potential for 5.9 feet of flooding in an extreme event. That property also faces possible 184-mile-per-hour hurricane winds and more than three weeks per year of extreme heat."

"Indian Creek is an artificial island, created in the early 1900s by dredging sediment from the bay. It was once a mangrove forest, dense with trees and shrubs that helped shield Miami from storms. Today, only about 2% of mangroves remain in the area. Ironically, wealthy homeowners have often cut down mangroves in front of their own homes to have better views, increasing their flood risk."

Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan purchased a waterfront home on Indian Creek, a private artificial island in Biscayne Bay that houses other billionaires and celebrities. Miami's sea levels have risen eight inches since 1950 and are projected to be 10 to 17 inches higher than 2000 levels by 2040. Sunny-day flooding has increased 400% in Miami Beach over the last 20 years, and storm surges are becoming more dangerous. Nearby property-level analysis indicates potential for 5.9 feet of flooding, 184-mph hurricane winds, and more than three weeks per year of extreme heat. Indian Creek was built by dredging former mangrove forest; only about 2% of mangroves remain, many were removed for views, and the island sits around seven feet above sea level on soft sediment, creating uncertainty about long-term stability.

Read at Fast Company