How does climate change affect ocean levels?

Climate change affects ocean levels primarily through the melting of ice caps and glaciers, which contributes to an increase in the volume of water in the oceans. As global temperatures rise, polar ice sheets and glaciers melt at an accelerated rate, releasing freshwater into the oceans. Additionally, higher temperatures cause thermal expansion, where water increases in volume as it warms. These combined effects lead to rising sea levels, which pose significant risks to coastal areas and ecosystems.

The other options do not accurately describe the impact of climate change on ocean levels. For instance, the occurrence of tsunamis is not affected by climate change; tsunamis are typically caused by geological events such as earthquakes. A decrease in ocean salinity is not a direct result of climate change, although changes in precipitation and melting ice can slightly affect local salinity levels in some areas. Furthermore, climate change generally leads to an increase in ocean temperatures, not a decrease, which would hinder the idea of lowering ocean temperature as a consequence. Thus, the statement regarding melting ice caps directly aligns with established scientific understanding of climate change impacts on sea levels.