Sea level rise refers to the phenomenon where the ocean levels are gradually increasing. In this article, we’ll explore the current situation, causes, and solutions to sea level rise.
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A Disappearing Island: The Cry of Kiribati
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(Source: The Guardian)
Have you ever heard of the island nation of Kiribati?
Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, this small country is gradually disappearing due to rising sea levels. Like a scene from a movie, the ocean is swallowing the island little by little each day.
Anote Tong, the first Sunhak Peace Prize laureate and former president of Kiribati, spoke about this crisis:
"The issue of sea level rise in Kiribati is no longer a story of the future. It’s a reality we are facing now. We understand that migration is the last option, but we must take every possible measure before that."
— Anote Tong, Former President of Kiribati—
As he mentioned, many areas of Kiribati are already contaminated with saltwater, making them unsuitable for agriculture and habitation. This is not just an environmental issue; it is a matter of survival.
And it’s not just Kiribati. Many coastal nations around the world are facing similar threats.
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The Reality of Sea Level Rise: A Crisis by the Numbers
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According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), sea levels have risen by 20-23 cm since 1880. In the last decade, the rate of increase has doubled, signaling a serious warning to humanity (World Meteorological Organization).
(The areas shown in red indicate higher-than-normal sea levels around two of Tuvalu's inhabited islands, Nanumanga and Nanumea.
Source: NASA)
NASA has reported that, since 1993, sea levels have been rising by an average of 3.3 mm per year. If this trend continues, sea levels could rise by 30 cm to 1 meter by the end of the 21st century.
NASA's 2023 report on sea level rise in Tuvalu predicts that sea levels in the Pacific island nation could rise by 0.2-0.3 meters by 2050 and up to 0.5-2.0 meters by 2100. This will lead to more frequent and severe flooding and storm surges.
Additionally, NASA's Earth Observatory announced that, as of February 2, 2023, the Antarctic sea ice extent had shrunk to 1.79 million km², the lowest level since satellite monitoring began in 1979.
This is particularly devastating for Pacific island nations like Kiribati. The latest 2023 Southwest Pacific Climate State report from the WMO emphasized that sea level rise in the Pacific region is occurring at a rate faster than the global average. Nations like Tonga and Vanuatu are at severe risk due to rising sea levels, increased ocean temperatures, and more frequent marine heatwaves.
(Sendai Target G scores of countries in the South-West Pacific region as of 2023, as reported by the countries themselves through the Sendai Monitor.
Source: UNDRR)
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Download the report here
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Q. What Causes Sea Level Rise?
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According to the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which acts as a "health check" for our planet, sea level rise is primarily caused by glacier meltingand thermal expansion.
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Want to learn more about the IPCC?
Check out the following article!
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What is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)? |
1. Glaciers and ice sheets are melting.
As the Earth gets warmer, glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctic are melting rapidly. The melted water flows into the oceans, causing sea levels to rise.
2. Thermal expansion of the oceans.
As the climate warms, the ocean water itself is heating up and expanding. Just like how water expands when boiled, warm seawater occupies more space, causing the sea level to rise.
In addition to these two factors, stronger storms and changes in ocean currents caused by climate change are accelerating sea level rise.
Why is Sea Level Rising? We Asked a NASA Scientist
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The Consequences of Sea Level Rise: People Losing Their Homes
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| (출처: NPR) |
Sea level rise is not just about the water going up a little bit—it’s creating significant social and economic problems.
1. People are losing their homes.
About 900 million people live near coastal areas. If sea levels continue to rise, they will face extreme flooding. For example, densely populated countries like Bangladesh and India are likely to experience large-scale migration.
2. The economic impact is severe.
Sea level rise is destroying coastal industries such as tourism, fisheries, and ports. For example, in St. Lucia in the Caribbean, floods have destroyed resorts, severely impacting the tourism industry. Additionally, when sea levels rise, urban infrastructure gets flooded, leading to enormous costs for recovery.
3. Ecosystem disruption.
Saltwater seeps into farmland, making agriculture impossible, and the mixing of freshwater and seawater is damaging ecosystems. Particularly, natural defenses like mangrove forests and coral reefs are being destroyed, which is reducing biodiversity and putting many marine species at risk of extinction.
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Sea Level Rise and Peace: Why It Could Lead to Conflict
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If your home were submerged underwater, what would you do? The first priority would be to find a new place to live.
But in the process, conflicts are likely to arise. As climate refugees search for new land, they may clash with the people already living there.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described sea level rise as a "threat multiplier," meaning that climate change can increase conflicts and intensify competition for resources.
In the end, sea level rise is not just an environmental issue—it’s a critical global issue that can lead to social unrest and international disputes.
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Q. How Can We Prevent Sea Level Rise?
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Solving the problem of sea level rise requires various strategies, including actions we can all take.
1. Slow down global warming!
The main cause of sea level rise is climate change, so reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the planet is essential.
We can all do our part with small everyday actions! For example, reducing electricity usage and using public transportation more frequently can make a big difference. Governments and companies also need to adopt more renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
2. We need adaptation strategies too.
Sea level rise is already affecting us, so we need strategies to cope with it. Building coastal defense walls or restoring mangrove forests are good examples. Mangrove forests not only block waves but also absorb carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation.
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Want to learn more about nature-based solutions?
Check out the following article! ↓↓↓
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For a Better Future
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"Is the place where you live safe?"
Sea level rise may seem like a distant problem, but it’s actually something that concerns all of us. Major cities like New York, London, and Bangkok are under significant threat from rising sea levels, and many other countries are experiencing more frequent typhoons, floods, and tidal waves.
Small actions can lead to big changes. Saving electricity, using eco-friendly products, and reducing your carbon footprint are great ways to start. Raising awareness of the issue of sea level rise can also make a huge difference.
In the end, solving this issue requires global cooperation. For a better future for all of us, why not start with small climate actions today?
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Want to learn more about climate action? Check out the following article! ↓↓↓
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"We must expand the scope of peace to include the future. Even if we don’t meet them, we must ensure that our descendants can lead happy lives."
— Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon,
Founder of the Sunhak Peace Prize—
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Learn more
What is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?
What is Nature-Based Solutions?
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Written by: Director Yeonjae Cho