Can we save coastal cities? Scientists have discovered an alarming surge in the rate of sea level rise in recent years. It makes the race to save the towns and cities at risk of being swallowed by the sea even more urgent.
Sea-level rise hits new record rate
Rising tides: Scientists warn that accelerating sea level rise is rapidly threatening global coastal cities, forcing urgent action to prevent catastrophic flooding. Glossary
Global warming - The Earth is getting hotter due to climate change.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Molecules - Two or more atoms connected by chemical bonds.
Mitigate - Make something bad less serious or dangerous.
Emissions - Things that are released, such as gases, as part of a process. E.g. greenhouse gases.
Fortify - To strengthen a place against attack or danger. In the context of the article, it means building stronger barriers to protect towns and cities from the rising sea.
Levées - Strong walls or embankments built alongside a river or coast to prevent high water from flooding the surrounding land.