Sea level rise is a direct result of the planet warming from human activities, and it is already impacting millions worldwide. Whether it’s inundating homes, disrupting communities or damaging important infrastructure, rising sea levels pose a threat to all aspects of society.
Global warming is causing sea levels to rise for two reasons: first, melting glaciers and ice sheets add water to the ocean as they melt; second, warm water takes up more space than cool water, increasing the total volume of the ocean. In addition, people are depleting freshwater aquifers, which also contribute to the rising seas.
Coastal flooding and erosion increase the risk of physical injury or death from building collapses, drowning or being swept away by moving debris. It also increases the risk of water-borne diseases from contaminated drinking water, complications from existing medical conditions and respiratory illnesses from mold, and loss of livelihoods due to property damage or relocation from flood-prone areas.
Rising seas threaten key infrastructure needed for local jobs and regional economies, including roads and subways, ports and airports, drinking water supplies, power plants and oil and gas pipelines. This means that tens of millions of people in the US and hundreds of million globally are at increased risk from sea-related impacts. The good news is that societies can take a variety of steps to mitigate the risks, including planning for relocation (managed retreat), accommodating coastal change (adaptation) or protecting against sea level rise through hard construction practices like seawalls.
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