Vanishing Cities: How Bangkok is Sinking into the Sea

A Buddhist temple on the banks of the Chao Phraya river.

This thesis was submitted to the Western New England University School of Law in 2022 – by Ashley Rivera

Abstract

The city of Bangkok is sinking into the ocean at an alarming rate. Some parts of Bangkok are facing sinkage rates of between one to two centimeters a year, and the sea level rises up to four millimeters each year. A combination of climate and infrastructure crises is causing families to be displaced and entire villages destroyed. Extreme measures must be taken to preserve what is left of the Thai capital. If not, the city is sure to vanish.



Ashley Rivera is a law student at Western New England University School of Law, where she has a great interest in environmental and human rights law, and hopes to practice in these fields upon graduation. She is co-founder and co-president of the Environmental Law Coalition, where she teaches other students about sustainability, activism, and other ways to get involved in environmental protection. Ashley believes that human rights and environmental justice go hand-in-hand as humans have a right to live in an environment free from toxic pollution, and access to the natural resources needed to survive and prosper.


No edits have been made to maintain the author’s tone of voice.

Was this thesis interesting? Make sure to check out our article on Jakarta: the world’s fastest-sinking city.

Climate Change and Flooded Cities: A Tale of Human Ingenuity

This thesis was submitted to Western New England University School of Law in 2022 – by Brendan McCarthy

Abstract

We must redesign our coastal cities to mitigate the damage caused by increased storm frequency and severity. To do so, we must elevate environmental urban planning to the forefront of urbanization, so that we are able to adequately mitigate the resulting damage caused by rising sea levels, more powerful storms, and coastal flooding.

Did you enjoy reading this thesis? Make sure to read our article on floods in Bangladesh and beyond.


I am a rising 3L at the Western New England University School of Law with an interest in practicing environmental law upon graduation. Due to this interest, I helped revive the dormant Environmental Law Coalition to bring environmental awareness and sustainability to the forefront of conversation at the school. I graduated from Fairfield University with a double major in Environmental Studies and American Studies, and my time at Fairfield helped solidify my desire to work in the environmental field. I possess a strong belief that the protection of our natural world is necessary to promote human health and wellbeing, and I aim to strengthen these protections as I embark on my legal career.


No edits have been made to maintain the author’s tone of voice.