Sea level rise rate in the U.S. 2022, by selected cities

Increasing sea level rise poses a significant threat to some U.S. cities, including Grand Isla, Louisiana, with a rise rate of more than eight millimeters in 2022. In Alaska, much of the coast is seeing sea levels fall as the land pushes upward, no longer weighed down by glacial ice.

Causes of sea level rise

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accumulate in the Earth’s atmosphere and trap solar radiation creating a warming effect. As a result, glaciers and ice sheets melt – in addition to the thermal expansion of seawater, causing the mean sea level to rise. If future GHG emissions are not cut down, sea levels could increase up to an additional 1.5 meters along the U.S. coastline by the end of the century.

Impacts of the rising sea level in the U.S.

By 2100, coastal shielding expenses are forecast to reach 300 billion U.S. dollars across the United States alone. Furthermore, several million residents will likely migrate further inland to avoid rising sea levels. This is especially concerning for Florida, which has one of the highest shares of homes at flood risk across the country.