Sea level has been rising by approximately 3.3 millimeters per year in recent decades, due to glacier melting and the thermal expansion of water caused by climate change. This increase causes high tides to be higher and more frequent, which increases the risk of coastal flooding in cities and ecosystems. For example, places like Miami and Venice are experiencing more severe 'storm tides,' affecting infrastructure and marine life. New studies point out that the accelerated melting of Greenland and Antarctica will contribute to an even faster rise in the coming decades. Coastal communities are implementing barriers and early warning systems, but adaptation is costly and complex. Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions is vital to curbing this trend and protecting vulnerable habitats. The IPCC warns that, without drastic measures, sea levels could rise by up to one meter by the end of the century, redefining the borders of numerous island nations.
Source: IPCC
