Despite a rapid local sea level rise nearly 3 times the global mean (1.8 mm/yr), 15 of 28 studied atoll islands in the southwest Pacific increased in shoreline area during 2005 to 2015, according to a new study. For the 3 islands that experienced extreme shoreline erosion, with one atoll island even 'disappearing', a category 5 cyclone was identified as the most likely casual factor. Consequently, the authors concluded that 'the dramatic impacts of climate change felt on coastlines and people across the Pacific are still anecdotal.' 1