World leaders need to see rising oceans in Pacific

A UN report revealed that sea levels are rising at an unprecedented rate, potentially displacing 1.2 billion people by 2050 due to warming oceans and melting glaciers, according to a UN official in Palau on Monday. The deputy secretary-general of the UN, Amina Mohammed, urged G20 leaders to witness the impact firsthand by visiting a Pacific atoll.

She highlighted last week's deadly floods in Nepal as evidence of the consequences of rising seas. The UN is urging leaders to attend an upcoming summit in Tuvalu in October, ahead of the UN climate summit in Turkey. Tuvalu, one of the most vulnerable nations, is considering relocating its population due to the threat of inundation.

Palau's environment minister, Steven Victor, emphasized that the Pacific region is not seeking handouts but requires significant resources to address the challenges posed by rising seas. A separate UN report found that coral reefs are declining rapidly, with global hard coral cover decreasing by 9.5% over 40 years due to climate change.

The frequency of marine heatwaves, caused by climate change, is exacerbating the situation, making it difficult for reefs to recover. Scientists warn that the decline of coral reefs poses a threat to the 100 million people who live within 5km of these vital ecosystems.