How does climate change affect sea levels?

Melting ice caps significantly contribute to rising sea levels, which is a direct consequence of climate change. As global temperatures rise, polar and glacial ice masses are melting at an accelerated rate. This meltwater flows into the oceans, increasing overall water volume and thereby raising sea levels.

The impact of melting ice is twofold: first, it adds water to the oceans, and second, the loss of reflective ice surfaces results in more heat absorption by the Earth’s surface, potentially accelerating further warming and ice melt.

While other factors like thermal expansion of seawater (from rising temperatures) and changes in ocean currents are also relevant to the discussion of sea-level changes, the direct and substantial impact of melting ice caps makes this option particularly critical in understanding the relationship between climate change and sea level rise.