Sea level rise is accelerating at an unprecedented rate and now represents one of the « most serious threats » to populations, economies and ecosystems, warns a report by the UN Secretary-General released on Monday.
The average sea level increased by 4.7 millimeters per year between 2014 and 2023, according to the document, which warns of a record increase of 5.9 millimeters recorded in 2024 as a result of exceptional ocean warming.
The report also warns that this phenomenon, mainly caused by human-made greenhouse gas emissions, will continue to intensify over the coming decades.
It notes that nearly 770 million people live in coastal areas located within five meters above the maximum tide level, which exposes them to increasing risks of flooding, erosion, salinization of freshwater resources and ecosystem degradation.
The UN particularly warns of the consequences for small island developing states and low-lying coastal areas, some of which could become partially or totally uninhabitable.
The document also mentions the possibility of massive population displacements, with some estimates of up to 1.2 billion displaced people by 2050 under the combined effect of rising sea levels and other climate impacts.
The economic impact is also considerable, the report says. Damage to coastal infrastructure could amount to several trillion dollars over the century, while annual flood-related losses in large coastal cities could exceed $1 trillion by 2050.
Faced with these challenges, the report calls for a rapid reduction in global emissions, a substantial increase in funding for adaptation and increased international cooperation.
It also stresses the need to develop early warning systems, resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions, while strengthening legal frameworks to protect affected populations and safeguard the rights of states threatened by loss of territory.
source : panorapost
