Palavas under water: science fiction or reality?

It is now clear that sea levels are rising: they have already risen between 15 and 25 cm since 1900, and the rate of increase is accelerating. This phenomenon is one of the direct consequences of global warming.

According to projections by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), sea levels could rise by more than one meter by 2100 if humanity continues to emit the same amount of greenhouse gases.

In France, several coastal towns are threatened by coastal erosion and rising water levels. Occitanie is affected, particularly Palavas-les-Flots. The town lives under this threat and will have to adapt.

To discuss this topic of science and society, two multidisciplinary experts will answer questions from the audience live:

• Frédéric Bouchette, University Professor , researcher at the Montpellier Geosciences Laboratory, coastal specialist
• Frédéric Grelot, Research Economist at INRAE (National Research Institute Research Agriculture, Food, and the Environment) at the Research Joint Research Unit – University of Montpellier, specialist in flood risks and impacts

The Science Bar has become one of Montpellier's flagship scientific culture events, offering a monthly participatory debate for citizens on all aspects of science from January to June. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue where their knowledge and practices are shared, but can also be discussed.

The season is co-produced by the scientific culture departments of the University of Montpellier and its partners: INRAE, INSERM, and IRD.

Facebook page