This isn’t a future problem. It’s already happening. 

In this episode of The Impact Series, Mike Collignon sits down with Dr. Jim White—leading climate scientist and Dean at UNC Chapel Hill—to break down what decades of research are telling us: 

Sea level rise is inevitable. And once it starts, it doesn’t simply reverse. From melting ice sheets to warming oceans and shifting global systems, the changes are already in motion—and the timeline isn’t what most people think.

In this episode: 

• Why sea level rise can accelerate faster than expected 

• The hidden role of ocean heat—and why it matters more than air temperature 

• What “tipping points” really mean for climate and society 

• How insurance markets may be the first real signal of change 

• The long-term consequences we’re passing to future generations 

And one sobering truth: We don’t live on a planet of instant fixes. This isn’t just about climate science. It’s about what happens next—and who pays the price. 

Watch the full conversation. Then decide how urgent this really is.