UN Chief Warns Rising Sea Levels Threaten Nearly A Billion People in Coastal Areas
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning about the accelerating rise in sea levels, which threatens the future of nearly one billion people living in low-lying coastal regions.
The phenomenon is leading to increased vulnerability to storm surges, flooding, and coastal erosion.
Guterres, speaking at a summit during the UN General Assembly, described the situation as a "rising tide of misery" that could devastate communities globally. He emphasized that rising seas are swamping communities, contaminating freshwater sources, ruining crops, damaging infrastructure, and destroying biodiversity.
The global mean sea level has been rising at a rate not seen in the last 3,000 years, according to NASA, largely due to global warming. The agency reports that global temperatures have risen by approximately one degree Celsius, causing sea levels to rise by 160 to 210 millimeters, with half of that increase occurring since 1993.
Guterres highlighted the dire consequences for vulnerable regions, particularly small island states in the Pacific such as Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. These nations are already experiencing forced relocations due to the rising waters.
Pacific islands, among other low-lying coastal areas, face an existential threat. A study cited by the IPCC warns that countries like the Maldives, Tuvalu, and Kiribati could become uninhabitable by 2100, potentially displacing 600,000 people and creating a new wave of stateless climate refugees.
“The first and most important way to stop rising sea levels is to curb global greenhouse gas emissions,” said Hobert, echoing Guterres’ call for urgent action. He stressed that for Small Island Developing States, sea-level rise not only threatens livelihoods and cultures but also their existence.
The rise in sea levels has also exacerbated flooding, which has increased soil salinity, reduced agricultural yields, and damaged critical infrastructure like roads and power lines. The UN warns that saltwater flooding can severely affect coastal habitats, fish stocks, and agricultural lands, endangering the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Moreover, flooding poses additional risks such as contaminating freshwater supplies, spreading waterborne diseases, and contributing to mental health issues due to the constant strain on affected populations. Countries that rely heavily on tourism are also vulnerable, with damage to beaches, resorts, and coral reefs further harming their economies.