WMO report indicates alarming global sea levels rise
Between 2013 and 2022, sea levels rose by 4.5 millimetres on an average according to World Meteorological Organization (WMO, a body under the United Nations). The report titled “Global Sea-Level Rise & Implications: Key facts and figures” stated that the rising sea levels pose a serious threat to countries like India, Bangladesh, China, and the Netherlands. Sea level rise is caused primarily by two factors related to global warming: the added water from melting ice sheets and glaciers, and the expansion of seawater as it warms. The effects of sea level rise are already being felt as water is increasingly invading coastal areas, causing soil erosion and threatening farmland, housing and recreation areas. Furthermore, a higher sea level causes heavy rains and strong winds, unleashes severe storms and floods. According to the report, the threat from sea level rise is a “major economic, social and humanitarian challenge”. “Several big cities on all continents are threatened,” it read. The cities the report lists here include Mumbai, Shanghai, Bangkok, London and New York.