"Inland Shift: Coastal Cities Rethink Climate Research"

Coastal Megacities Shift Focus Inland for Climate-Resilient Research A growing number of coastal megacities, home to nearly half of the world's population, are increasingly vulnerable to subsidence and rising sea levels due to rapid urbanization and climate change. According to a 2024 study, around 2 billion people lived within 50 kilometers of a coast in 2018, with half of them settled within just 10 kilometers (A. G. Cosby et al. Sci. Rep. 14, 22489; 2024). This shift has led researchers to suggest that coastal megacities should collaborate with inland institutions to leverage expertise and resources, as seen in the case of Indonesia's ambitious plan to relocate its capital. The rapid growth of coastal zones has been staggering, with some 460 million people moving to the coast between 2000 and 2018, a shift equivalent to adding 46 new megacities of 10 million residents each. Coastal cities such as Tianjin in China rely on research to help tackle challenges such as subsidence. However, the rising sea levels are a pressing concern, with the current rate of sea-level rise being faster than at any point in modern history. To mitigate these challenges, researchers recommend that coastal megacities should form cross-regional partnerships with inland institutions to better address the complex issues threatening their sustainability. According to the Nature Index 2025 Science cities, coastal megacities are often more susceptible to climate-related disasters due to their proximity to the sea. By collaborating with inland institutions, these cities can tap into a wealth of expertise and resources, enabling them to develop more effective strategies for addressing the challenges they face. "Coastal megacities should look inland for research collaborations," said a researcher from a leading university. "By doing so, they can leverage the expertise and resources of inland institutions to develop more effective solutions to the complex issues threatening their sustainability." The case of Indonesia's ambitious plan to relocate its capital is a prime example of the benefits of cross-regional partnerships. The plan, which involves relocating the capital from Jakarta to a new site on the island of Borneo, is expected to be completed by 2045. According to the Indonesian government, the relocation will not only help to mitigate the risks associated with climate change but also provide a unique opportunity for the country to develop a more sustainable and resilient capital city. In conclusion, coastal megacities are increasingly vulnerable to subsidence and rising sea levels due to rapid urbanization and climate change. To mitigate these challenges, researchers recommend that these cities should collaborate with inland institutions to leverage expertise and resources. By forming cross-regional partnerships, coastal megacities can better address the complex issues threatening their sustainability and develop more effective strategies for addressing the challenges they face.