The Netherlands’ experience with catastrophic floods shows how humans adapt to nature’s destructive power. However, countries like Bangladesh will be severely affected by rising sea levels. A new paper warns that even reducing carbon emissions to meet the 1.5C target may not be enough to stop unmanageable sea level rises. Experts argue a limit of 1C or lower is necessary to prevent devastating consequences.
Rising temperatures are triggering “really dire” sea level rises, with some areas expected to experience a 12-meter surge. This poses significant threats to coastal cities and communities worldwide. The US withdrawal from the UN loss and damage fund has sparked concerns about the lack of international cooperation on climate change.
While visions of melting ice caps can be daunting, people have adapted to natural disasters in the past. It is crucial to prepare for inevitable changes and avoid worst-case scenarios by investing in sea defences and migration plans. By doing so, we can mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure a safer future for all nations.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/25/the-guardian-view-on-rising-sea-levels-adaptation-has-never-been-more-urgent