Quote: "Between 1901 and 2018, the average global sea level rose by 15–25 cm (6–10 in)."
Sea levels are rising as a result of thermal expansion of seawater and melting ice caps and glaciers.
Greenhouse gases: This topic focuses on the role of different gases and their concentration in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, in trapping heat and leading to global warming.
Ocean currents and sea temperatures: This topic examines how changes in ocean currents and temperatures affect sea level rise, by causing thermal expansion, melting of glaciers and ice caps, and land-based ice sheets that enter the ocean.
Weather patterns and natural disasters: This topic covers the effects of extreme weather such as hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones on sea level rise, as these events can cause widespread erosion, flooding, and land loss.
Coastal ecosystems and biodiversity: This topic explores the impact of sea level rise on coastal ecosystems and biodiversity, including coral reefs, tidal marshes, and wetlands, which are critical habitats for many species.
Urbanization and land use change: This topic evaluates how human activities, such as urbanization, industrialization, and deforestation, affect sea level rise by increasing carbon emissions, altering landscapes, and altering water regulation systems.
Infrastructure and sustainable development: This topic examines how adaptation measures such as shoreline armoring, relocation, and infrastructure changes can help coastal communities cope with sea level rise and increase resilience to climate change.
Social and economic implications: This topic covers the social and economic impact of sea level rise, including the displacement of populations, loss of property and infrastructure, and increased risks to health, security and livelihoods.
International policy and regulations: This topic evaluates the role of international policy and regulations addressing sea level rise, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Adaptation and mitigation strategies: This topic explores the various adaptation and mitigation strategies to address sea level rise, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, community-based approaches, natural flood control, and enhancing water storage and resilience in coastal regions.
Public awareness and education: This topic highlights the importance of public awareness and education to help build resilience against sea level rise, including promoting carbon-neutral lifestyles, eco-friendly technologies and sustainable practices, and community engagement.
Thermal expansion: When water heats up, it expands. The oceans have absorbed almost all of the extra heat trapped by greenhouse gases, causing sea levels to rise.
Melting glaciers and ice sheets: The melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, as well as glaciers around the world, also adds to rising sea levels. The rapid melting of these ice sheets is one of the biggest concerns for sea level rise.
Changes in precipitation patterns: Climate change can cause changes in precipitation patterns, leading to more rainfall in some regions and droughts in others. Increased rainfall can cause sea levels to rise due to an increase in runoff and erosion.
Coastal erosion and sinking lands: In some areas, coastal erosion and sinking lands can cause sea levels to rise. This can be due to natural processes, such as land subsidence, or human activities like groundwater pumping, oil and gas extraction, and mining.
Changes in ocean currents: Changes in ocean currents can also cause sea level rise. Changes in ocean currents due to global warming can cause sea level to rise by allowing more warm water to flow into colder regions.
Storm surges: Climate change is expected to lead to more intense storms, which can cause storm surges that can cause flooding and increase sea levels.
Changes in atmospheric pressure: Changes in atmospheric pressure can cause sea levels to rise, particularly in low-lying areas. This can be due to changes in winds and weather patterns.
Permafrost thaw: The thawing of permafrost due to climate change can also contribute to sea level rise. As permafrost thaws, it releases large amounts of trapped carbon into the atmosphere, which can increase temperatures and cause sea levels to rise.
Quote: "an average of 1–2 mm per year."
Quote: "This rate accelerated to 4.62 mm/yr for the decade 2013–2022."
Quote: "Climate change due to human activities is the main cause."
Quote: "Between 1993 and 2018, thermal expansion of water accounted for 42% of sea level rise. Melting temperate glaciers accounted for 21%, with Greenland accounting for 15% and Antarctica 8%."
Quote: "Sea level rise lags changes in the Earth's temperature."
Quote: "So sea level rise will continue to accelerate between now and 2050 in response to warming that is already happening."
Quote: "What happens after that will depend on what happens with human greenhouse gas emissions."
Quote: "Sea level rise may slow down between 2050 and 2100 if there are deep cuts in emissions."
Quote: "It could rise by 1 m (3+1⁄2 ft) or even 2 m (6+1⁄2 ft) by then."
Quote: "In the long run, sea level rise would amount to 2–3 m (7–10 ft) over the next 2000 years if warming amounts to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F)."
Quote: "Rising seas ultimately impact every coastal and island population on Earth."
Quote: "They lead to loss of coastal ecosystems like mangroves. Crop production falls because of salinization of irrigation water. And damage to ports disrupts sea trade."
Quote: "The sea level rise projected by 2050 will expose places currently inhabited by tens of millions of people to annual flooding."
Quote: "Local factors like tidal range or land subsidence, as well as the varying resilience and adaptive capacity of individual ecosystems, sectors, and countries will greatly affect the severity of impacts."
Quote: "Yet, out of the 20 countries with the greatest exposure to sea level rise, 12 are in Asia. Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam collectively account for 70% of the global population exposed to sea level rise and land subsidence."
Quote: "Finally, the greatest near-term impact on human populations will occur in the low-lying Caribbean and Pacific islands—many of those would be rendered uninhabitable by sea level rise later this century."
Quote: "Societies can adapt to sea level rise in three ways: by managed retreat, by accommodating coastal change, or by protecting against sea level rise through hard-construction practices like seawalls or soft approaches such as dune rehabilitation and beach nourishment."
Quote: "A managed retreat strategy is difficult if an area's population is quickly increasing."
Quote: "this is a particularly acute problem for Africa, where the population of low-lying coastal areas is projected to increase by around 100 million people within the next 40 years."