UN Warns of Rising Sea Levels in Pacific

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a dire warning regarding the accelerating threats of rising sea levels, ocean warming, and acidification facing Pacific island nations, which are disproportionately affected by climate change despite contributing only 0.02% of global emissions. At the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, Guterres highlighted that sea levels in the region are rising at nearly twice the global average, with significant increases recorded in locations like Nuku’alofa, Samoa, and Suva. He emphasized that 90% of the Pacific population lives within five kilometers of the ocean, making them particularly vulnerable to coastal flooding and extreme weather events. Guterres called for urgent global action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and support climate adaptation efforts, warning that without decisive measures, the situation could become nearly irreversible. The U.N. reports show ocean temperatures in the Southwest Pacific are rising at three times the global rate, exacerbating the challenges faced by these low-lying nations. Guterres's message serves as a