Sea level is rising faster than most forecasts
The new observations show that around half a meter of sea level rise by the end of the century can now be expected with only a 0.5 degree Celsius rise in temperatures.
The oceans could rise more than 1 meter to 2 degrees Celsius, a trajectory that will be easily passed under current climate policies.
Climate change is causing the oceans to rise faster than scientists’ most pessimistic forecasts, resulting in early flood risks for coastal economies already struggling to adapt.
Estimates published by Ocean Science affect two-fifths of the Earth’s population living near coasts.
Properties could face an even greater danger from flooding, super storms and storm surges.
Research suggests that countries will have to control their greenhouse gas emissions even more than expected to keep sea levels in check.
Economies must cut an additional 200 billion metric tons of carbon, equivalent to about five years of global emissions, to stay within the thresholds set by previous forecasts.
The researchers drew on the models of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The temperatures have melted 28 trillion metric tons of ice, equivalent to a 100 meter thick layer of ice that covers the entire UK.
The scenarios that are seen now with respect to sea level rise are too conservative: the sea seems to rise more than is believed.
