Historical Smithsonian Museum Plagued the Effects of Climate Change

The National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex, has about two million precious items reflecting the American story.

The Smithsonian Institution considers American History the most endangered of its institutions, followed by its next-door neighbor, the National Museum of Natural History.

Climate Central scientists predict that if average global temperatures climb 1.5 degrees Celsius beyond preindustrial levels, some land between the two museums would be flooded at high tide. By 2100, the earth will have warmed by 1.1 degrees Celsius.

Officials with the Smithsonian Institution seek to construct flood gates and other barriers and relocate certain holdings to a proposed site in suburban Maryland. However, many of these initiatives have yet to be funded by Congress, and the reforms would take years to accomplish.

Until then, the Smithsonian is grappling with the reality that it is defending the nation's treasures with sandbags and garbage cans, although it is a well-liked, well-funded, and well-staffed institution.

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