The areas of Sussex which could be underwater by 2050

The study has been conducted by Climate Central, an independent organisation of leading scientists and journalists who research climate change and its impact on the public

The organisation has produced an interactive map which uses scientific journals and predictions to show which areas across the world could be lost to rising sea levels by 2050.

The areas of Sussex which could be underwater by 2050 Credit: Climate Central

It says: "Climate Central’s sea level rise and coastal flood maps are based on peer-reviewed science in leading journals. As these maps incorporate big datasets, which always include some error, these maps should be regarded as screening tools to identify places that may require deeper investigation of risk.

"Outside of the United States, maps are based on global-scale datasets for elevation, tides, and coastal flood likelihoods.

Hastings did not fall within the shaded at risk areas

"Areas lower than the selected water level and with an unobstructed path to the ocean are shaded red. By default, areas below the water level but that appear to be protected by ridges are not shaded."Our approach makes it easy to map any scenario quickly and reflects threats from permanent future sea level rise well."

On the map, at risk areas lying below the predicted future water level are shaded in red. This includes several parts of the Sussex coast.

In the west of the county, the likes of West Wittering, Selsey, Pagham, Bognor, Littlehampton, Worthing and Shoreham could all be lost to the sea, the study suggests.

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In some places, the shaded at risk area stretches as far inland as Pulborough.

In the east, Rye, Newhaven, parts of Seaford and Eastbourne, Pevensey and more could be submerged by 2050, Climate Central estimates.

Bexhill and Hastings narrowly avoid the shaded red areas.

David Bolton's crashing waves off Brighton

But they do stretch inland in places, covering large parts of Lewes and the area between Hailsham and Pevensey.

In the Brighton and Hove area, the beach, Brighton Marina and Brighton Palace Pier have been deemed as "below the water level". The shaded area comes further inland in Portslade and to the west of Hove, covering Hove Lawns, Hove Lagoon and Wish Park. The A259 seafront road would also be underwater.