The study, published in 2021 by the scientific journal Nature, said sea levels in Cartagena have risen by about 7.02 millimeters (0.27 in) per year since the beginning of the 21st century, a “higher rate” than the global average of 2.9 millimeters. ,
Sea levels in the Gulf could rise by 26 centimeters by 2050 and 76 centimeters by 2100, researchers said.
“It's a very small change, we're talking about millimeters over the past few years, but … flooding will be felt,” Tosic said.
On the mainland, AFP recently saw staff at a flooded restaurant trying to remove water that had fallen on the feet of its customers.
Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a colonial-era city that was once the center of conflict between European powers competing for control of the “New World” – resulting in the Spanish building some of the most extensive military fortifications in South America. build out. City.
The historic old town, huge fortress and gorgeous beaches have made Cartagena a tourist attraction.
Now, machines are hard at work building a new fortress – a 4.5-kilometre (2.7 mi) long sea wall – to protect the city from encroaching waters.