A recent analysis from NASA reveals that sea levels rose more than initially expected in 2024. This analysis, based on data from advanced satellites, shows a troubling trend. Since 1993, global sea levels have climbed over 10 centimeters (about four inches), and the rise is accelerating. Overall, sea levels have increased by eight to nine inches since 1880.
Josh Willis, a sea level rise expert at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, emphasizes, “Every year is different, but one thing is clear: the ocean keeps rising, and it’s doing so at a quicker pace."
Despite some dismissing this amount of rise as minor, the concern isn’t just about the four inches. It’s clear that the ocean won’t stop there. A report by a range of U.S. agencies predicts a further increase of 10 to 12 inches along the U.S. coast in the next three decades. By the end of the century, we could face several feet of additional rise.
NASA’s satellites, including the Sentinel-6, monitor these changes using radar to measure ocean height. This technology helps us understand how rapidly sea levels are changing. The data shows that over the last few decades, the rate of rise has effectively doubled.
Many people share mixed reactions about sea level rise. Some believe that four inches is not alarming, while others accuse media of sensationalizing the issue. However, experts warn that this increase is only the beginning. Among the primary drivers of sea level rise are melting ice, which accounts for about two-thirds, and thermal expansion due to rising temperatures. Most global glaciers are shrinking, and the effects of melting Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are becoming clearer every year.
In 2024, thermal expansion contributed significantly to sea level rise, which reached nearly a quarter inch. As the Earth experienced its hottest year on record, the oceans absorbed over 90% of the heat trapped by human activity. This trend is not only disturbing but highlights a concerning pattern: the last decade has seen the warmest temperatures ever recorded.
Experts like Sridhar Anandakrishnan, a Penn State glaciologist, stress the uncertainty surrounding future sea level rise. The Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, for example, has the potential to release a vast amount of water into the seas, dramatically changing projections.
Looking ahead, forecasts for sea level rise between 2050 and 2150 paint a range of possibilities. Under ambitious climate targets, scientists estimate that global sea levels could rise around 1.3 feet by 2050. A moderate scenario suggests several feet of rise by the end of the century.
Ultimately, the extent of sea level rise our descendants will face depends on our actions today. How we respond to climate change now will shape the future of our coastlines and communities. It’s a stark reminder that we hold the key to influence this pressing issue.
For more detailed projections and studies, refer to the NOAA’s 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report.