Water levels have risen by up to 15 cm in places in the Pacific in recent years 30 years – The global average was 9.4 cm during the same period
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres today issued a “global SOS” on rising sea levels in the Pacific Ocean at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Nuku'alofa.
“I am in Tonga (islands) to issue a global SOS —Save our Seas” — because of rising sea levels. A global disaster is putting this Pacific paradise at risk,” said Mr. Guterres, presenting a scientific report revealing that sea levels in this region of the planet are rising much faster than the global average.
I’m in Tonga to issue a global SOS – Save Our Seas.
Global average sea levels are rising at rates unprecedented in the past 3,000 years.
The ocean is overflowing because of climate change.
The world must #ActNow & answer the SOS before it’s too late.https://t.co/5bZuelvQ40 pic.twitter.com/B8ltc6Sej5
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 26, 2024
Sparsely populated Pacific islands with no heavy industries collectively release less than 0.02% of global greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.
The vast collection of low-lying volcanic islands and coral atolls is threatened by rising sea levels.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), part of the UN system , has been systematically monitoring water levels with tide gauges installed on Pacific island coasts since the 1990s.
According to its new report, water levels have risen in places by up to 15 centimeters in the Pacific over the past 30 years. The global average was 9.4cm over the same period, according to the scientists who prepared the report.
