Rising sea levels threaten Caribbean region

High tides recently cut off the Boca Grande section of Cartagena, in Colombia. Scientists say Latin American cities are at higher risk because sea levels will rise most near the equator. (Capt. Julian Reyna / Colombian Navy / November 21, 2009)

The Colombian city of Cartagena is trying to plan ahead as scientists say cities nearer the equator, where temperatures are already higher, are at greater risk if global warming isn't checked.

By Chris Kraul
LA Times

10:09 PM PST, November 21, 2009

Reporting from Cartagena, Colombia

The effect of climate change is anything but hypothetical to retired Colombian naval officer German Alfonso. Just ask him about the time his neighborhood in this historic coastal city became an island.

For five years, Alfonso, 74, has watched tides rise higher and higher in the Boca Grande section of Cartagena. This month, tides briefly inundated the only mainland connection to his neighborhood, a converted sandbar where about 60 high-rise condo and hotel towers have been built in the last decade or so.

"Before, people thought it a normal phenomenon. But we're becoming more conscious that something is going on," Alfonso said. "If the sea keeps rising, traffic could just collapse."

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