More than half of the world's population have made their home in coastal regions.
For many low-lying areas, scientists warn that the coming century is likely to see sea level rise that will change the shape of coastlines around the globe.
While industrialised nations are able to spend billions on flood protection schemes, many small island nations are at risk of disappearing beneath the waves.
But by how much will the waters rise in the coming century, and what are the factors driving the increase?
One of the latest assessments suggest that sea levels are likely to rise by about 1.4m (4ft 6in) globally by 2100 as polar ice melts.
A major review of climate change in Antarctica by an international team of researchers said that warming seas were accelerating melting in the west of the continent.
Indeed, the continent's largest portion, East Antarctica, appears to have cooled, bringing a 10% increase in the sea ice extent since 1980.
Other observers project a global average sea level increase of about one metre by 2100.
But there is a scientific consensus that the IPCC's 2007 projection of 43cm was too conservative.
for more info http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8399036.stm
The world map is heating slide show - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8394886.stm
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