The report highlighted how the sea level, in turn, has risen over the years. Thermal expansion explained 50% of sea-level rise between 1971 and 2018 and human activities were what most likely drove the increase since 1971. The average rate of sea level rise increased from 1.3 mm per year between 1901 and 1971, to 1.9 mm per year between 1971 and 2006. Between 2006 and 2018, this rose again to 3.7 mm per year. As per the WMO, the sea level rise has been 4.5 mm per year between 2013 and 2022. https://science.thewire.in/environment/sea-level-is-rising-and-will-continue-to-do-so-wmo-report/
According to the report, the threat from sea level rise is a “major economic, social and humanitarian challenge”. Several low lying small islands and countries that have huge coastal populations such as the Netherlands, Bangladesh, India and China would be most affected.
“Several big cities on all continents are threatened,” it read. The cities the report lists here includes Mumbai in India too. Others include Shanghai, Bangkok, London and New York. The Deccan Herald reported that Mumbai would be the most affected, with the sea level rise impacting 998 buildings and 24 km of road length in the city.
by AATHIRA PERINCHERY
15/02/2023