Terrifying news, if you plan on living to 100+ years old. Shanghai’s going down. DOWN. Underwater. Sunk. A new study from the National Academy of Science shows water rising faster than they previously thought, and that in the worst-case scenario, sea levels will rise by two meters, putting numerous cities underwater. Specifically named? Shanghai!

To make matters worse, the sheer weight of the buildings in Shanghai is making the city literally sink into the soft coastal sediment that it sits on.

China is taking some measures to ensure that in 80 years’ time we can all still wheel into Perrys for Old People and have an ice-cold beverage without having to worry about being swept away by a raging torrent of flood water. The Shanghai government has constructed 520km of protective seawalls that stretch across Hangzhou Bay and surround Chongming, Hengsha and Changxing Islands in an attempt to limit the damage. The Sponge City Concept is a long-term plan in the process of being implemented in Shanghai and is basically exactly what it sounds like, utilizing the natural system to adapt 80% of urban land so that it can absorb 70% of storm-water. It’s due to be complete in 2030, although after hearing this news they might want to pick up the pace a little.

You may think to yourself “oh it’s fine my work contract is over in two years this won’t affect me,” - guess again friend. If the study is accurate, New York, London, Jakarta, Houston, Lagos and more will also be heavily affected, with a total area three times the size of California to be underwater and the displacement of up to 187 million people. Consider this fair warning to learn how to swim.