The sea level has risen and fallen for millions of years as the great forces of nature shape the planet. Today, the Earth is warming and the seas are rising, but not due to natural environmental changes. Rather, people are changing the climate by burning fossil fuels and emitting heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. The result is more water flowing into the oceans from melting glaciers and polar ice. Sea water is also heating up and expanding.
Over the past 150 years, the sea level has risen over 8 inches (20 cm). Recently the rate has doubled, so we could hit 5 feet (1.5 m) of rise by 2100. With each 1°C (1.8°F) increase in global temperatures, the sea climbs nearly 1.3 feet (0.4 m). Were Greenland’s ice to melt, the sea may rise 20 feet (7 m). In one dire scenario, the Antarctic ice sheets melt and the sea rises a catastrophic 200 feet (61 m). Billions of people live near the ocean and low-lying communities are at risk. People have time to adapt, yet there is an urgent need to cut gas emissions and tackle climate change.