The United Nations has warned that the world’s oceans are under “intense and rapidly growing” pressure due to human activities, with the rate of sea level rise doubling over the past decade. The findings come from the UN’s third World Ocean Assessment, released on World Oceans Day, which highlights escalating threats from pollution and industrial-scale fishing that are severely damaging marine biodiversity and ecosystems.

Based on research by about 600 scientists from 86 countries between 2021 and 2025, the report shows that sea levels now rise by 4.3 millimeters per year, compared to 2 millimeters before 2015. Ocean temperatures have increased sharply, with 16% of the total rise since 1955 occurring after 2018. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged urgent global cooperation to protect marine ecosystems, emphasizing a science-based and law-governed approach.

The report notes progress such as the new High Seas Treaty, which aims to protect two-thirds of international waters, but warns that fragmented governance still hampers effective action. Greenpeace called the findings an urgent warning to world leaders, urging the creation of fully protected marine sanctuaries to restore ocean health by 2030.