Rising seas, rising stakes: What increasing sea-levels mean to humanity

The ocean is rising faster now than at any point in recorded history. The impacts are already being felt and the threats are growing.Land is being inundated, homes are flooding, livelihoods are being lost, driving significant hardships on people in search of a more secure future.It is not just the environment that is being affected, rising sea levels also have a significant impact on human rights, economic development, health, culture, the future of many countries and basic human dignity.© UNDPVillagers in South Malaita in the Solomon Islands plant mangroves to protect the coastline.Everyone and pretty much everywhere are affected across developed and developing nations. The ability to act and adapt today will prove decisive for whether rising seas become a manageable challenge or a generational crisis.What is sea-level rise?Simply put, sea levels are getting higher due to the effects of human-induced climate change. Between 2014 and 2023, the global sea level rose 4.7mm a year. In 2024, it jumped a record 5.9mm. © UNICEF/Ashwa FaheemConcrete cylinders line a beach in the Maldives to protect against sea-level rise.Even under the most optimistic scenario, oceans will likely rise up ...