Global sea level saw a big jump from 2022 to 2023 due in part to a switch between La Niña and El Niño conditions. A mild La Niña from 2021 to 2022 resulted in a lower-than-expected rise in sea level. A strong El Niño in 2023 helped boost the average amount of rise in sea surface height.
Seasonal or periodic climate phenomena can affect global average sea level from year to year. But the underlying trend for more than three decades has been increasing ocean heights as a direct response to global warming due to the excessive heat trapped by greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere.
With more than 30 years of satellite observations, the data show that global average sea level has risen about 4 inches (9.4 centimeters) since 1993 and the rate of increase has more than doubled.
#GlobalSeaLevel #SeaLevelRise #ClimateChange #NASAEarth #EarthData
Video Description:
In the center is an animated graph of Global Sea Level Rise from 1993 to 2023. On the X-axis are months January to December. The Y-axis goes from 0 centimeters to 10 centimeters.
0-0:07: As the years tick by at the top of the graph, lines of different shades of blue are added to the graph. Each new line appears above the last one graphed. The lines all have a similar smooth shape, with a slight bump around October.
0:08-0:10: The lines that were graphed all rotate together to form one single line. The line is jagged and trends upward. The months on the x-axis are swapped for the years 1990-2025. The y-axis remains the same.
In Oslo, the retrofit of a 1930s landmark using autoclaved aerated concrete demonstrates how low embodied carbon materials can deliver both preservation and performance, reinforcing circular economy in construction principles while maintaining heritage value. Ytong’s sustainable retrofit in Oslo exemplifies this evolution in practice.
Manchester’s commitment to circular heat networks marks a strategic pivot toward low carbon design at an urban scale, echoing broader ambitions for net zero whole life carbon and carbon neutral construction. This aligns with broader national initiatives such as those described in Manchester’s pioneering city‑wide energy systems.
Innovation in AI‑driven project modelling is accelerating sustainable building design through more precise embodied carbon evaluation and lifecycle assessment, improving the accuracy of whole life carbon reporting under tightening UK and European disclosure requirements. The regulatory landscape is intensifying as policymakers address the environmental impact of construction with updated guidance covering recyclability, fire performance, and environmental product declarations (EPDs), as evidenced by new fire‑rated junction guidance supporting construction safety.
Major clients adopting sustainable building practices on flagship regeneration projects such as Battersea Power Station illustrate how sustainable material specification and eco‑design for buildings now define prestige development. The convergence of green construction, low‑impact construction techniques, and sustainable urban development underlines a maturing circular economy where energy‑efficient buildings and low carbon building methods deliver resilience to climate‑driven stresses. The industry’s trajectory confirms that sustainable design and decarbonising the built environment are no longer aspirational but essential criteria for long‑term building lifecycle performance and genuine net zero carbon progress.
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