UN Secretary-General Issues Climate SOS: Save Our Seas

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a dire warning about accelerating sea level rise, particularly affecting vulnerable Pacific island nations. Guterres, in his climate SOS, emphasized the urgency of 'saving our seas' as reports show significant sea-level increases caused by global warming and melting ice sheets. Coastal communities are facing unprecedented threats.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has once again sounded an urgent alarm regarding the accelerating rise in sea levels, particularly impacting the vulnerable Pacific island nations. On Monday, the United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization released alarming reports detailing the worsening sea level rise, exacerbated by global warming and melting ice sheets.

Guterres delivered his climate plea from Tonga's capital during a meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, he revealed that sea levels around Tonga's capital Nuku'alofa have risen 21 centimeters between 1990 and 2020, more than double the global average.

Pacific communities, with about 90% of the population living within 5 kilometers of the coast, are facing severe threats. The urgency of the crisis has spurred climate activists and leaders to push for immediate, significant action to mitigate the damage and safeguard the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)