Sea-level rise
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Why is sea-level rise important?
Sea-level rise increases the frequency and severity of storm surges and coastal flooding, causing serious damage to critical infrastructure and leading to the displacement of coastal communities around the world. Globally, more than 100 million people live in coastal regions vulnerable to sea-level rise, and many of the world’s largest cities are situated less than 10 metres above current sea level. In the UK, current annual damages from coastal flooding are estimated at over £500 million per year, and costs of damage are likely to increase under projections of future sea-level rise. As such, sea-level rise presents one of the biggest adaptation challenges to climate change.
How much and how fast is sea level rising?
Since 1900, global mean sea level (GMSL) has risen by approximately 20cm. The rate of sea-level rise has increased throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries, and it is currently rising at about 3.2cm per decade.
What causes sea level ...
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