Ocean heat and sea-level rise threaten communities in the South-West Pacific

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🗞️ Driving the news: The World Meteorological Organization’s State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2024 report warns of record-breaking ocean heat and sea-level rise threatening ecosystems, economies, and entire island nations
• Over 40 million km² of ocean — more than 10% of global ocean surface — was affected by marine heatwaves, while sea levels continue rising above the global average, placing millions at risk

🔭 The context: In 2024, the South-West Pacific experienced its hottest year on record, intensified by the lingering 2023–2024 El Niño
• Marine heatwaves, tropical cyclones, and glacial retreat all point to accelerating climate impacts
• Coastal populations, such as in Fiji’s Serua Island and across the Philippines, faced compounding challenges from rising seas and increasingly extreme weather, while traditional adaptation strategies are becoming insufficient

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The report underscores how ocean warming, acidification, and sea-level rise are altering ecosystems and threatening the viability of island nations
• Cultural heritage and livelihoods are at risk as climate-driven displacement looms
• However, the effective use of early warning systems in the Philippines demonstrates that timely, locally-informed responses can mitigate impacts and save lives, aligning with global goals like EW4All

⏭️ What's next: Governments in the region must urgently scale up adaptation strategies, including planned relocation frameworks, nature-based coastal protections, and disaster-resilient infrastructure
• International platforms — such as the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction and the upcoming UN Ocean Conference — will be critical in mobilizing resources and partnerships
• The WMO calls for integration of climate data into national planning to build resilience across vulnerable communities

💬 One quote: “Sea-level rise is an existential threat to entire island nations… we are fast running out of time to turn the tide.” — Prof. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, WMO

📈 One stat: In late 2024, 12 tropical cyclones struck the Philippines between September and November — more than double the seasonal average — displacing over 1.4 million people across 17 regions

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