Global sea level rise and climate threats

The United Nations has issued warnings regarding rising sea levels driven by climate change, specifically noting that warming oceans and melting ice sheets are causing significant increases in global mean sea levels. Projections suggest that under high greenhouse gas emission scenarios, sea levels could rise by as much as two meters by 2100.

These changes pose a threat to approximately 770 million people living in low-lying areas. Beyond coastal flooding, the rise threatens food and water security through the salinization of agricultural land and freshwater wells, while also risking critical infrastructure and human rights.

Specific focus has been placed on South Asia, where cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Dhaka face significant risks. In this region, more than 14 million people are at immediate risk of losing their homes to permanent inundation. Assistant Secretary-General Navid Hanif described the phenomenon as a ‘systemic threat’ that impacts health, cultural identity, and food security, urging governments to integrate these challenges into comprehensive planning.

Recent data released at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau indicates that annual sea-level rise reached a record high of nearly six millimetres in 2024. Furthermore, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed highlighted that the melting of Himalayan glaciers has turned South Asia into a ‘third pole.’ Experts warn that this glacier melt could trigger severe flooding within the next 15 to 20 years, followed by prolonged droughts that threaten regional agricultural stability and energy grids.