Posted on September, 23 2024

By Alfred Ralifo, Senior Policy and Government Affairs Manager, WWF-Pacific and Martin Sommerkorn, Head of Conservation, WWF Global Arctic Programme

People from all walks of life flock to coasts and seashores to play, work or simply enjoy the beauty of the ocean. But as the climate changes, coastlines are coming to represent something else – uncertainty and peril. 

Globally, the sea is rising. This is a direct consequence of global warming, caused by melting ice in places like Greenland and Antarctica, and the expansion of seawater as it warms. The United Nations reports, “Since the start of the 20th century, global-mean sea level has risen faster than over any prior century in at least the last 3,000 years, and the rate of increase is accelerating.”

While the change in sea level is measured in centimeters, the impacts will be measured in units of far greater magnitude. Small island states face an existential threat, but they are far from the only places in harm’s way. 

The “low-elevation coastal zone” is land that sits 10 meters or less above sea level and is home to fishing villages and megacities, and everything in between. The UN reports this zone  generates around 14% of global GDP and hosts almost 11% of the global population – some 900 million people and counting. Sea level rise is a direct threat to the communities, infrastructure, industry and food production across the zone. 

Given the grave and pervasive nature of the threat from sea level rise, it is fitting that the UN holds a high level event for leaders attending the General Assembly in September. Leaders must approach the issue with the understanding that this is not a hypothetical issue – the sea is rising and with it the cost of inadequate climate action. 

While WWF advocates strongly for the rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, at the same time we work with diverse communities to mitigate and adapt to sea level rise. In Fiji, we work with communities to protect their mangrove forests – vital carbon sinks and important natural buffers to sea level rise. Reducing the pressure on mangroves now through protection and restoration, and reducing pollution, can help build their resilience in the face of increased storm surges, erosion and submersion. 

Of course, effective conservation has to work for people as well as nature. WWF helps communities design and implement integrated mangroves and fisheries management plans that combine their traditional knowledge with tested, science-based strategies. This allows communities to strategically protect, restore and sustainably manage critical coastal ecosystems. 

Thriving mangroves not only create buffers against the rising sea level and storm surges, they also support healthy and thriving coral reefs, which underpin healthy fisheries for economic and food security of the Fijian people. The result is healthier, resilient ecosystems that support sustainable livelihoods and stand a greater chance of surviving in a warming world. 

In the Arctic, the race is on to bolster the resilience of nature and communities. The Arctic is warming faster than the global average, with less sea ice and more open ocean fuelling a cycle of warmer temperatures, more melting and more sea level rise. Healthy ecosystems with abundant wildlife will play an important role in helping communities across the region adapt to climate change. That’s why WWF helped create ArcNet, a framework that can help Arctic nations fulfil their commitments to conserving 30% of the ocean and protect and connect biodiversity across the entire Arctic Ocean.