Scientists confirm acceleration of sea level rise since 1960, with ocean warming as the largest driver and melting ice also contributing—Prof. John Abraham

Scientists have confirmed that sea levels are rising at an alarming rate, accelerating notably since 1960. Researchers found that sea levels are currently rising at an average pace of 3.94 millimeters per year from 2.06 millimeters initially measured between 1960 and 2005.
The primary driver is ocean warming, accounting for a staggering 43% of global sea level rise, as warmer water expands and occupies more space. Meanwhile, melting ice contributes significantly as well—27% from mountain glaciers, 15% from the Greenland Ice Sheet, and 12% from the Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Prof. John Abraham states, "For years, there has been a frustrating gap between how much the oceans were observed to be rising and how much we could explain from the individual causes... this knowledge gap can be closed." The research, credited to a collaborative team including the Chinese Academy of Sciences and others, relies on enhanced satellite measurements for its findings.
Furthermore, climate change exacerbates rising sea levels, leading to worsening flood conditions that threaten coastal communities globally. The research highlights how human-driven climate change has led to a doubling of the sea level rise rate since the 1980s, underscoring the immediacy of this environmental challenge.

Scientists have confirmed a significant acceleration in global sea level rise since 1960, with rates increasing from 2.06 millimeters per year to 3.94 millimeters between 2005 and 2023. The primary driver is ocean warming, contributing 43% to the rise, according to Prof. John Abraham and his team.