Palavas Underwater: Science Fiction or Reality?

It is now a proven fact that sea levels are rising: they have already risen by between 15 and 25 centimeters since 1900, and the rate of rise 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 sea levels. The Occitanie region is affected, particularly Palavas-les-Flots. The town lives under this threat and will have to adapt.

To discuss this topic at the intersection 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 Institute for Research Agriculture, Food, and the Environment) at the Research Joint Research Unit – University of Montpellier, specializing in flood risks and impacts

The Science Bar has become one of Montpellier’s premier events for scientific culture, offering a monthly participatory public discussion on all aspects of science from January through June. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue where their knowledge and practices are not only shared but also open to discussion.

The season is co-produced by the UM’s science communication departments and its partners: INRAE, INSERM, and IRD.

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