Warmer World → Rising Seas: Thermal Expansion + Ice Melt

Sea level rises.

Two Main Mechanisms

1. Thermal expansion: Water expands as it warms (≈0.2 m per °C globally). Oceans absorb >90% of excess heat.
2. Land ice melt: Glaciers, Greenland, Antarctica add water volume. Accelerating since 1990s.

Impacts

• Coastal flooding (nuisance + storm surge).
• Erosion, saltwater intrusion, wetland loss.
• Displacement: millions at risk by 2100.
• Infrastructure threat: ports, cities, aquifers.

Rate: ~3.4 mm/yr (satellite era); accelerating. Committed rise continues centuries even if warming stops.