Rising seas threaten coastal communities as NASA reports faster-than-expected sea level rise

Rising seas threaten coastal and island communities, with the UN highlighting risks for low-lying regions in India, Bangladesh, China, the Netherlands and Pacific and Indian Ocean nations.

NASA reports that sea levels rose rapidly in 2024, the world’s hottest year on record.

A study using Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite data found sea levels increased by 0.59cm per year, exceeding the expected 0.43cm.

Scientists attributed the rise to warming oceans and melting glaciers, with thermal expansion of water being the main factor in 2024.

Since satellite monitoring began in 1993, global sea levels have risen by 10cm, with the rate of increase more than doubling over three decades.

Source: Aljazeera/NASA