Sea Levels Rising Rapidly Worldwide, Coastal Communities at Risk
Climate change is causing sea levels to rise significantly worldwide, with coastal communities bearing the brunt of the impact. New data from CORRECTIV and international journalists reveals stark differences in sea level changes across various cities and regions.
Marseille, France, has seen a 10-centimeter rise in sea level over the past three decades, while Manila, Philippines, has experienced a more alarming 40-centimeter increase in the same period. Globally, sea levels are predicted to rise between 20 and 80 centimeters by the year 2100.
The Permanent Service of Mean Sea Level (PSMSL) has collected data from over 2000 locations worldwide since 1933. While some cities face rapid sea-level rise, others, like those in Scandinavia, see land rising faster than the sea in certain ports. Borkum, a North Sea island, has experienced a 6-centimeter rise in sea level over the past 30 years.
The melting of polar ice sheets could lead to a worldwide sea level rise of several meters by the year 2200 or 2300. Major coastal cities vulnerable to climate change, such as Jakarta, Miami, New York, Mumbai, and Shanghai, are among those experiencing some of the fastest sea-level rises, although the five cities with the fastest rates were not explicitly listed in the provided data.
The varying impacts of sea level rise highlight the urgent need for global cooperation and targeted local action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its consequences. As sea levels continue to rise, coastal communities worldwide must prepare for increased flooding, erosion, and other environmental challenges.
