• As the world's atmosphere and oceans become warmer, sea levels are expected to rise.

• Coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds that often rely on stable environmental conditions will be adversely affected by rising air and sea temperature and sea levels (medium confidence).

• Low-lying island states and atolls also are expected to experience increased sea flooding, inundation and salinization (of soils and freshwater lenses) as a direct consequence of sea-level rise.

• Consequently, sea levels can rise by several hundred metres, covering large areas of the continents with warm shallow seas.

• The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute reports that seas surrounding the North Atlantic have become less salty in the past 40 years, which in turn freshens the deep ocean in the North Atlantic.

• Latin America includes all continental countries of the Americas from Mexico to Chile and Argentina, as well as adjacent seas.