The sea is higher than we thought and millions more are at risk, study finds

Associated Press (AP)CenterEN 6 min read 100% complete by By SETH BORENSTEIN and ANNIKA HAMMERSCHLAGMarch 4, 2026 at 10:53 PM

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A new study published in *Nature* reveals that previous research has underestimated baseline coastal water heights, potentially threatening tens of millions more people due to rising sea levels from climate change. Researchers found that about 90% of scientific studies and hazard assessments underestimated coastal water heights by an average of 1 foot (30 centimeters). This discrepancy stems from a mismatch in the way sea and land altitudes are measured, particularly in the Global South, the Pacific, and Southeast Asia. The studies often fail to account for factors like waves, currents, and tides, leading to inaccurate starting points for calculating sea level rise impact. This means that the impact of even small increases in sea level could be far greater than previously anticipated.

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Key Player Opposition Context

Atlantic coasts 40% Pacific 50% Europe 50% Netherlands 50% Global South 60% Southeast Asia 60% University of Padua 70% Wageningen University & Research 80% Iranawila, Sri Lanka 90%

Keywords

sea level rise 100% climate change 90% coastal waters 80% baseline coastal water heights 70% global south 60% research assumptions 50% hazard assessments 40% methodological blind spot 40%

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Very Negative

Score: -0.70

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Associated Press (AP)

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Center (0.00)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

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Iranawila, Sri Lanka

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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sea level rise climate change coastal waters baseline coastal water heights global south research assumptions hazard assessments methodological blind spot

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