Climate Change
and the Hawaiian Monk Seal
01
Rising Sea Levels & Coastal Erosion
Sea levels are rising one inch every four years, resulting in coastal erosion. Coastal erosion causes beaches to shrink and disappear. Coastal erosion continues to impact Hawaii: 13 miles of beaches amongst Hawaii's main islands are already gone and 70% of beaches are currently threatened. As beaches disappear, this makes it challenging for the Hawaiian Monk Seals to continue to survive. They spend one third of their lives on the beach, where they rest, molt, give birth, and nurse their young. An estimated 50% of their historical breeding beaches are already gone. To learn more about sea level rise, explore this sea level rise mapping tool.
02
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Majority of the seals alive today live in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). The NWHI are composed of 124 uninhabited islands, reefs, atolls, and submerged banks. Most of the NWHI are low-lying, which makes them especially vulnerable to rising sea levels. Some of these islands have already been swallowed by the sea.
03
Key Facts
Major threats: fishing, climate change, pollution, starvation
Key facts: The Hawaiian Monk Seal is one of the most endangered seal species in the world. Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii is the only place this seal has ever lived. This species has been around for 13 million years and an estimated 1,600 are alive today. Its Hawaiian name is 'ilio holo i ka uaua, which means "dog that runs in rough water".
Additional Resources:
Learn more about the Hawaiian Monk Seal from NOAA, Hawaii's DLNR, and Zero Hour Climate.
Nonprofit Partner:
The Marine Mammal Center
More information, including education resources and volunteer opportunities here! 100% of the profits from our sustainable greeting cards are donated to The MMC.
