NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern that the speed of sea-level rise is heightening risks for hundreds of millions worldwide. His warning was delivered during a high-level session at the UN General Assembly in New York. According to UN statistics, approximately 770 million people live less than five metres above the high-tide line. The global mean sea level increased by 5.9 millimetres in 2024, marking the largest yearly increase during the satellite era and raising alarms for low-lying communities.
Over the past thirty years, the rate at which sea levels have risen has been accelerating. The World Meteorological Organization reported an average annual increase of 2.1 millimetres from 1993 to 2002, which then grew to 4.7 millimetres per year during 2015-2024. WMO data also indicates that 2024 saw a record high in global mean sea level. The expansion of warmer oceans as temperatures rise, combined with melting glaciers and ice sheets, directly contributes to this long-term upward trend in sea levels.
Scientific models forecast continued sea-level increases across all emissions scenarios evaluated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The IPCC estimates a rise of 0.28 to 0.55 metres by 2100 under a very low emissions pathway, while a very high emissions scenario projects an increase between 0.63 and 1.01 metres. These projections are based on the 1995-2014 average as the baseline. Guterres emphasized the need for more ambitious emissions reductions and expanded protections for communities vulnerable to coastal flooding.
Growing Sea Levels Exert Greater Strain on Coastal Regions
The UN General Assembly session highlighted the particular vulnerabilities faced by small island nations and low-lying coastal areas. Rising sea levels can lead to increased flooding, faster erosion, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources and farmland. Coastal infrastructure, including homes, transportation networks, power systems, and ports, is increasingly at risk from inundation. The United Nations identified sea-level rise as a significant obstacle to sustainable development, food security, infrastructure resilience, and economic stability in exposed regions.
A political declaration approved during the meeting addresses the global impact of rising seas, emphasizing the importance of scientific collaboration, resilience-building, funding, and legal frameworks related to shifting coastlines. The declaration also advocates for improved early-warning systems and enhanced support for nations most vulnerable. UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman pointed out the notable acceleration in the annual rate of sea-level increase. This assembly forms part of broader UN efforts to tackle climate-related risks affecting nations with extensive coastlines and limited adaptation resources.
Long-Term Challenges Highlighted by Climate Science
Guterres called on governments to cut greenhouse gas emissions and bolster protections for populations already at risk from rising seas. He underscored the importance of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and building resilient infrastructure within the wider climate strategy. Adaptation initiatives such as coastal defenses, enhanced warning systems, and infrastructure resilient to higher water levels are also vital. According to the World Meteorological Organization, ocean warming and land-ice melting are primary drivers of sea-level rise. These phenomena impact communities across both developed and developing economies with vulnerable coastlines.
The IPCC projects that global sea levels will continue rising for centuries due to the slow response of oceans and ice sheets to climate warming. Future increases will heavily depend on greenhouse gas emission levels and the behavior of major ice sheets. Current observations already show a rate of rise faster than during the early satellite record years. The UN gathering united governments around scientific evidence, resilience-building, and international cooperation. Its declaration emphasizes sea-level rise as a central issue in ongoing climate discussions at the General Assembly.