African coastlines face dramatic sea level rise four times faster than 1990s due to polar ice melt

A groundbreaking study published in Communications Earth & Environment reveals that sea levels around Africa have been rising at an alarming pace, accelerating four times faster since 2010 compared to rates observed in the 1990s. The research, led by University of Manitoba postdoctoral fellow Franck Ghomsi, directly links this acceleration to melting ice sheets and glaciers in polar regions caused by global warming.

The study’s findings highlight a troubling reality: as Arctic summers become increasingly ice-free, massive amounts of meltwater migrate toward tropical regions, including Africa’s extensive coastlines. “The glacier moved from ice to water, and it started migrating. And it is the tropics that are now getting this outflow of water,” Ghomsi explained. This influx of polar meltwater, rather than other sea-level rise factors, emerged as the primary driver behind the dramatic changes.

The consequences for African communities are severe and immediate. Coastal populations face increased flooding, land erosion, forced displacement, and contamination of freshwater supplies by saltwater intrusion. These impacts represent what Ghomsi calls a profound “climate injustice”—African nations contribute minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions yet bear disproportionate consequences from climate change driven largely by Global North countries.

The research underscores the urgent need for both climate adaptation strategies for vulnerable African coastal communities and accelerated global efforts to reduce emissions. As polar ice continues melting at unprecedented rates, Africa’s 30,000-kilometer coastline—home to millions of people—faces an uncertain future shaped by rising seas.