Island states, known for their scenic beauty, are on the brink of disaster due to the rapid rise in the level of the Pacific Ocean. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called this phenomenon a “global catastrophe” that especially threatens the paradise corners of the Pacific region.
As informs The Independent, Guterres addressed the global community with a new climate SOS signal, stressing that sea level rise is occurring at an ever-increasing rate, especially in the most vulnerable Pacific island nations.
The United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization have released new reports that show the worsening situation caused by global warming and melting glaciers. They point out that the Southwest Pacific is suffering not only from rising sea levels, but also from other effects of climate change, such as ocean acidification and heat waves.
Guterres made the call in the capital of Tonga, a kingdom in Polynesia, during a meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum. He noted that sea level rise is a man-made crisis that will soon reach unimaginable proportions and threaten the entire Pacific region.
According to a report commissioned by the United Nations, between 1990 and 2020 sea levels in Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, rose by 21 centimeters, twice the global average. In the capital of Samoa, Apia, this indicator was 31 centimeters, and in Suva, the capital of Fiji, it was 29 centimeters.
“This poses a serious threat to the Pacific island states”, Guterres emphasized, adding that about 90% of the region’s population lives within 5 kilometers of the ocean, which increases the risk of coastal flooding.
In recent decades, the number of coastal floods has increased significantly, which is a serious problem for island nations. Sea levels are rising faster in the western Pacific Ocean due to rising water temperatures and melting ice from Antarctica.
Guterres said that since his last visit to the region in 2019, the situation has deteriorated significantly. Rising water levels caused by climate change pose a particular threat to low-lying Pacific islands, where local residents are at risk of flooding, experts say.
The UN notes that about 90% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases is absorbed by the oceans. Sea level rise is accelerating and is now at its highest rate in 3,000 years.
According to the report, from 1901 to 1971, the average global ocean level rose by 1.3 centimeters per decade, from 1971 to 2006 by 1.9 centimeters, and from 2006 to 2018, this indicator increased to 3.7 centimeters. Over the past decade, the sea level has risen another 4.8 centimeters.
The report also states that the richest countries, which account for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions, have the greatest impact on global change. Among the cities where the sea level has risen by more than 50% of the global average over the past 30 years are Shanghai, Perth, London, Atlantic City, Boston, Miami and New Orleans.
Guterres called on rich countries to step up their efforts to reduce carbon emissions, end the use of fossil fuels and provide aid to less developed nations suffering from the effects of the climate crisis.
However, according to the UN’s 2023 report, the energy plans of many countries indicate that by 2030 they will produce twice as much fossil fuels as the internationally agreed warming limits allow.
