9. Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam’s commerce and cultural capital is a South East Asian tourism tiger that hovers right around sea level. Typhoons and tropical storms frequently menace it, and when the oceans rise, it will engulf this vibrant city. It is said to be sinking by a rate of 2cm a year. The city is attempting to develop an urban flood-control program, but it’s a tall order. HCMC has endured several floods in recent years, and it may only be a matter of time before we say so long to old Saigon.
10. Boston
It has been said that if Hurricane Sandy hit Bean Town, the floodwater would have reached the City Hall steps. Furthermore, unchecked pollution will likely be a death sentence for Boston. That means the end of the Red Sox as we know it … which may or may not be bad news depending on where you’re from. On the level, though, Boston is one of the cornerstones of American democracy, and one of the birthplaces of the Revolution. It’s historically relevant, beautifully built in old Colonial style, and it knows how to treat tourists and locals alike to a good time. It will be a real loss if climate change claims this city.
