Sea Level Rise

As the Earth gets warmer, sea levels are rising. This happens for two main reasons. Ice on land, like glaciers and ice sheets, melts and flows into the ocean. Also, warmer water takes up more space than cold water. Rising seas can cause flooding in coastal cities and islands.

Melting Ice

Greenland and Antarctica have huge ice sheets that are slowly melting. Mountain glaciers around the world are also shrinking. When this ice melts, the water flows into the ocean and raises sea levels. If all of Greenland's ice melted, sea levels would rise about 20 feet.

Protecting Coastal Communities

Millions of people live near the coast and could be affected by rising seas. Some cities are building sea walls and barriers. Others are restoring wetlands and mangrove forests, which act as natural shields. Island nations are working hard to find solutions because their entire countries could be underwater someday.

Fun Facts

• Sea levels have risen about 8 to 9 inches since 1900.
• The country of Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean could be one of the first nations to disappear because of sea level rise.
• If all the ice in Antarctica melted, sea levels would rise about 200 feet!

Did You Know?

Venice, Italy, has been dealing with flooding for centuries, but rising seas are making the problem much worse!