Why are rising sea levels a major threat to the Marshall Islands?

Rising sea levels pose an existential threat to the Marshall Islands primarily because the country is composed of low-lying coral atolls and islands, none of which rise more than 20 feet (six meters) above high tide. As global temperatures increase, rising sea levels—driven by thermal expansion and melting polar ice—create several critical dangers for these vulnerable communities.123

Key threats include:

• Inundation and Displacement: Increased coastal flooding and storm surges threaten to displace residents and damage essential infrastructure.43
• Saltwater Intrusion: Rising seas lead to the encroachment of salt water into groundwater supplies. This contaminates freshwater resources necessary for drinking and irrigation, while also damaging agricultural land and soil fertility.23
• Ecosystem Destruction: The rise in ocean levels and temperatures contributes to the bleaching and death of coral reefs, which are vital to the ecosystems that support the livelihoods and sustenance of the Marshallese people.3

These combined factors jeopardize the habitability of the islands, as the land is increasingly susceptible to erosion and the loss of the natural resources required for survival.423