Rising sea levels present a pressing crisis that demands immediate attention to avert devastating consequences. This concern was emphasized by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during the launch of the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) report titled “Surging Seas in a Warming World” at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Tonga on Thursday.
The report illustrates the extreme effects of climate change and severe weather on the region. Guterres pointed out that since 1980, sea surface temperatures have increased at a rate three times quicker than the global average, resulting in heightened marine heatwaves and coastal flooding.
“A worldwide catastrophe is putting this Pacific paradise in peril,” said Mr. Guterres. He noted that global average sea levels are rising at an unprecedented pace, with oceans overflowing as a result. He attributed this phenomenon directly to greenhouse gases, predominantly generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, which are severely heating the planet and its oceans.
Guterres stressed the importance of increased financial support for vulnerable nations at the upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) scheduled for November of this year.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the importance of early warning systems for facilitating evacuation plans, resource distribution, and proactive measures, although such systems are currently only available in one-third of small island developing states.
The report calls for urgent global action to address and mitigate the effects of climate change.