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Spurred by melting glaciers and global warming, the global average sea level has risen about 210-240 mm since the 1880s. This puts low-lying island nations at the risk of disappearing completely.
Here are some countries at risk of being submerged due to rising sea levels.
Kiribati
It's a Pacific island nation made up of 33 low-lying atolls at severe risk of being submerged due to rising sea levels. In 2014, its government bought land in Fiji as a contingency plan.
The Maldives
Over 80% of its 1,200 coral islands are less than one meter above sea level, putting it at risk of partial submersion by 2050 and complete submersion by the end of the century.
Tuvalu
Tuvalu, a small Pacific island nation, is losing parts of its landmass to coastal erosion. It’s projected that 95% of its landmass could be underwater during high tides by 2100.
Vanuatu
This Y-shaped island nation in the South Pacific could be completely under water by 2100. Sea levels around it have risen by 6mm per year since 1993, compared to the global average of 3.66 mm.
Solomon Islands
Located in the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Islands are at severe risk of being submerged. The country has already lost five of its islands to rising sea levels.
Marshall Islands
Located in the Central Pacific Ocean, they are at risk from rising sea levels. Even a 1 metre rise in sea level would permanently inundate 40% of the buildings in Majuro (the capital city).
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