Sea level rise
The earth’s atmosphere has warmed substantially since the 19th century, largely due to human activity. As well as increasing the average global temperature, this warming is also causing sea levels to rise. Sea levels are rising as the warmth causes the ocean water to expand, and as freshwater melts from ice sheets (in Greenland and Antarctica) and glaciers.
During the 20th century, global average sea level rose by around 1-2mm per year.
Future sea levels
Recent satellite measurements have shown the rate of sea level rise is increasing - to a rate not seen for 5000 years. Between 1993 and 2003, the sea level increased to around 3mm per year. Since 2003 this rate has slowed slightly and current increases are around 2.5mm per year.
Climate change projections indicate that sea levels will continue to rise along with more frequent and intense storms.
The earth’s atmosphere has warmed substantially since the 19th century, largely due to human activity.
As well as increasing the average global temperature, this warming is also causing sea levels to rise. Sea levels are rising as the warmth causes the ocean water to expand, and as freshwater melts from ice sheets (in Greenland and Antarctica) and glaciers.
During the 20th century, global average sea level rose by around 1-2mm per year.
The impact of sea level rise
Sea level rise will be felt through increases in the frequency and severity of extreme sea-level events such as storm surges, inundation (coastal flooding) and erosion. These events will increase the risk of damage to coastal infrastructure, services and natural environments.
The impacts of sea level rise will not be uniform across Victoria’s coast. As is currently the case with the local experience of erosion and tidal variation, a combination of factors including geology and the location of private and public buildings and infrastructure and other natural and built assets will influence the local impacts of sea level rise.
The Victorian Coastal Vulnerability Assessment, being undertaken through the Victorian Government’s Future Coasts Program will provide more detail regarding the physical impacts of climate change on the Victorian coast.
The Future Coasts Program is considering the physical impacts of sea level rise as a result of climate change. The coastal impacts of climate change as a result of changes to temperature, rainfall or ocean acidification are outside of the program scope.
See climate change impacts for further information.
What is climate change?
Adapting to climate change video
