NASA data strengthens global response to rising sea levels
Coastal communities around the world are facing the reality of rising sea levels, which threatens both daily life and essential infrastructure. In response, NASA has worked with agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense, the World Bank and the United Nations to provide detailed data on global sea level rise. This information, accessible through NASA’s Earth Information Center, is intended to assist in preparation and planning for coastal impacts expected through the year 2150.
According to one report by NASA, the center provides projections of future sea levels and potential regional flooding over the next 30 years. The report highlights that this source combines data from NASA’s ongoing satellite monitoring with computer models of ice sheet dynamics and ocean behavior, in addition to assessments from global authorities such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. These tools are designed to provide communities with accurate data on which to base critical coastal infrastructure and climate resilience plans.
Global applications of NASA data
Global institutions are using NASA’s sea level data to shape policies and implement adaptive strategies in vulnerable regions, the report said. For example, the World Bank integrates this information into climate risk profiles for countries most susceptible to rising sea levels. Similarly, the US Department of Defense uses the data to foresee and mitigate impacts to its coastal facilities, while the US Department of State uses the information in disaster preparedness and adaptation planning for its international allies, the report further adds.
Selwin Hart, Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Special Adviser on Climate Action, described the data as “crucial source for protecting lives and livelihoods,” highlighting the disparity in impacts between a 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit and current policy projections. These data, he noted, underscore the urgent need for action in vulnerable coastal areas.
Accelerated rise in global sea levels
The current rate of sea level rise has been shown to increase significantly, with almost all coastal countries experiencing sea level rise between 1970 and 2023. According to Ben Hamlington, head of NASA’s sea level change team, sea level rise is happening at an accelerated rate, with average increases nearly doubling over the past thirty years. Notably, NASA’s projections indicate that Pacific island nations will experience a rise of at least 6 inches by 2050, accompanied by a marked increase in high tide flooding.
The new data platform, as explained by Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, director of NASA’s ocean physics program, will allow communities around the world to anticipate future flooding scenarios.
