Rising Sea Levels

In 2024, the global average sea level reached a record high, rising four inches above 1993 levels. Polar ice cap melting is accelerating, and a 2024 study found that Greenland's ice sheet is melting 20 percent faster than previously believed.

Heat-driven ocean expansion is responsible for one-third of rising sea levels, posing threats to coastal communities and Pacific Island nations. A study of the EU and UK found that the costs of sea level rise could reach nearly €900 billion by 2100, and a 2023 U.S. EPA report highlights risks to coastal hazardous waste facilities.

Planners and communities must act now to prepare for sea level rise today and in the future to protect cultures, economies, and livelihoods. For more on mitigating the risks of sea level rise in coastal communities across the U.S., check out PAS Report 596, Planning for Infrastructure Resilience.