WMO reports Pacific sea levels rising faster than global average, threatening low-lying islands.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports that sea levels are rising faster in the Pacific Ocean than the global average, posing a significant threat to low-lying island states in the region. The accelerated rise in the Pacific is attributed to climate change, with higher temperatures caused by fossil fuel burning melting ice sheets and warmer oceans causing water molecules to expand. This rapid increase in sea levels has intensified coastal flooding in the region, with instances surging since 1980, particularly in islands such as the Cook Islands and French Polynesia. The impact of rising sea levels is particularly concerning for Pacific islands, as their average elevation is only one to two meters above sea level.

August 26, 2024
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