According to a new report published in the Nature Communications Journal, oceans could rise between .6 meters to 2.1 meters throughout the next century, which will lead to dozens of coastal cities disappearing from the planet. Then in turn leading to an increase in migration inland.

Using advanced elevation technology, researchers found that this increase in sea levels will affect up to 630 million people by the end of the 21st century, particularly in Asian cities.

Some of the common things that we see follow these types of climate reports are: one, that we need to cut down our use of plastic straws (which for many is a big deal anyway); two, swapping cars for public transportation (which not everyone can do); and three, watching electricity usage (e.g. turning out the lights in a room when you are not in it).

But what's actually causing the rising sea level?

There are three factors. The two main ones being the melting of ice sheets and glaciers that in turn add water and volume to the ocean as it expands The third (and equally, in my opinion, as important) is a decline of water storage on land, especially freshwater, as a result of extensive ground pumping and other types of irrigation that has shifted that water to the ocean.

Still, why does this matter?

In the US alone, almost 40 percent of the population lives in a coastal area that has the potential to be vulnerable to sea-level rise.

And yet there are still people that don't want to believe in global warming. Maybe, they don't feel like humans are the cause and according to some people, the placement of some weather stations in urban areas may produce inaccurate measurements that can cause data corruption due to the heat produced from the urban city islands. They might ask well, how do we know that it is rising?

According to the NOAA, sera level is measured by tide gauges and satellite laser altimeters which measure the height of the sea surface at any given time.

It is our job, not as the US, but as the human species to vote for candidates who prioritize its health—those who will create policies that regulate the use of things such as carbon emissions which play a key role in sea-level rise.

This future isn't as far away as we think it is. It's right around the corner and coming sooner than ever. Thirty years from now, people you know and love will still be alive. (You might even still be alive)