Rising Oceans: NASA’s Data Helps Coastal Communities Prepare for Sea Level Rise.

 

Coastal areas like Drakes Bay on Northern California’s Point Reyes Peninsula are becoming more vulnerable to rising sea levels.

As the Earth’s oceans continue to rise, they are increasingly disrupting livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems in coastal communities worldwide. To help mitigate the impact, international organizations and agencies, including NASA, are using advanced data tools to assist in preparedness efforts.

NASA has launched a global sea level change website, providing valuable data to better understand and address the escalating threat posed by rising sea levels. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, the World Bank, the U.S. Department of State, and the United Nations Development Programme, the site offers a wealth of information, including projections for sea level rise through 2150 and detailed flooding estimates for coastal regions over the next 30 years.

The projections are based on NASA’s data, computer models of ice sheets and oceans, and the latest sea level assessments from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), among other sources. This tool allows governments, organizations, and communities to assess future flooding risks and take proactive measures.

Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division, emphasized the importance of the agency’s cutting-edge data in helping communities respond to the challenges posed by sea level rise. “NASA innovates for the benefit of humanity. Our tools help communities plan for natural hazards and inform critical infrastructure decisions,” St. Germain said.

From Data to Action.

The World Bank and other international organizations are using the sea level data to create Climate Risk Profiles, helping countries most vulnerable to sea level rise prepare for the future. Similarly, the U.S. Department of Defense incorporates this data into plans to safeguard its coastal facilities, while the U.S. State Department uses it for disaster preparedness and long-term adaptation efforts in coastal regions.

United Nations officials are also underscoring the urgency of addressing sea level rise. “The science is unequivocal and must serve as the bedrock upon which decision-making is built,” said Selwin Hart, Assistant Secretary-General and special adviser to the UN Secretary-General on climate action. “With many communities already facing severe impacts from sea level rise, this new resource provides a vital tool to help them protect lives and livelihoods.”

A Faster-Rising Threat.

New analyses from NASA show that sea levels have been rising at an accelerated pace. Between 1970 and 2023, 96% of countries with coastlines have experienced sea level rise, with the global average rate more than doubling from 0.08 inches (0.21 cm) per year in 1993 to 0.18 inches (0.45 cm) per year by 2023.

This acceleration means that millions of people living in coastal areas are likely to face more frequent and severe flooding, larger storm surges, saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources, and increased high-tide floods, or “sunny day” floods. These changes, which were once expected to occur over a longer timeframe, are now happening more rapidly, posing new challenges for coastal communities.

Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, director of NASA’s Ocean Physics Program, emphasized the importance of the new data platform in helping communities understand the full extent of future flooding and rising water levels. “This platform connects science and physics to the real-world impacts on people’s safety and livelihoods,” she said.

Particular Impact on Pacific Island Nations.

Earlier this year, NASA released data highlighting the vulnerability of Pacific Island nations, which will face at least 6 inches (15 cm) of sea level rise over the next 30 years. By the 2050s, many of these islands will see a significant increase in the number of high-tide flood days, exacerbating the challenges these communities already face.

Ben Hamlington, a NASA sea level researcher, stressed the urgency of having accurate data to guide decisions. “The data is clear: Sea levels are rising, and they’re rising faster than expected. Having the best information to plan for these changes is crucial.”

As rising sea levels continue to reshape coastlines and affect communities worldwide, NASA’s global sea level change website is playing a key role in providing the data needed to inform adaptation efforts and safeguard vulnerable populations. The platform’s real-time projections and scientific insights are helping ensure that communities can take the necessary steps to protect lives, property, and ecosystems from the increasingly urgent threat of rising oceans.