What's Happening?
NASA's recent analysis indicates that the global average sea level rose more slowly in 2025 compared to previous years, despite high ocean temperatures. The slower rise, approximately 0.03 inches in 2025 compared to 0.23 inches in 2024, is attributed
to the La Niña phase of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate cycle. La Niña can temporarily alter water distribution, causing more precipitation to be stored on land rather than in the oceans. This temporary effect does not signify a reversal of the long-term trend of rising sea levels, which is driven by ocean warming and melting land ice. NASA emphasizes that while La Niña can cause short-term variability, the overall trend remains upward due to ongoing climate change.
Why It's Important?
The temporary slowdown in sea level rise in 2025 highlights the complex interplay between short-term climate variability and long-term climate change. While La Niña can temporarily affect sea level measurements, the underlying causes of sea level rise—thermal expansion of seawater and melting land ice—continue to pose significant risks to coastal areas. Rising sea levels increase the frequency and severity of coastal flooding, erosion, and infrastructure damage. This underscores the need for long-term planning and adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on coastal communities and ecosystems. The data from NASA's satellite missions provide critical insights for policymakers and scientists to understand and address these challenges.
What's Next?
NASA plans to continue monitoring sea level changes with the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich and Sentinel-6B satellites, which provide precise measurements of ocean height. These missions, along with data from the GRACE-FO and Argo systems, will help scientists track the contributions of thermal expansion and ice melt to sea level rise. As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, it is expected that the acceleration of sea level rise will continue, necessitating further research and adaptation efforts. Coastal communities will need to implement strategies to protect infrastructure and ecosystems from the increasing risks associated with rising sea levels.
Beyond the Headlines
The temporary effects of La Niña on sea level rise illustrate the importance of understanding natural climate variability in the context of long-term climate change. While short-term fluctuations can provide misleading signals, the overall trend of rising sea levels is clear and driven by human-induced climate change. This highlights the need for comprehensive climate policies that address both mitigation and adaptation. The data collected by NASA and other agencies play a crucial role in informing these policies and ensuring that they are based on the best available science.
