Even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C — the goal set by nearly 200 countries — rising seas will still pose a major threat to coastal communities for centuries, scientists say.
A new study published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment warns that keeping to the 1.5°C target should not be seen as “safe,” as melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica will continue far into the future.
Researchers reviewed recent studies on how ice sheets are behaving now and how they responded in the past. They found that during previous warm periods, sea levels were several metres higher than today, and current melt rates are increasing — especially in West Antarctica and Greenland.
Computer models also show that sea-level rise is unlikely to slow down, even if warming is kept below 1.5°C. Scientists warn this could push ice loss past irreversible tipping points, although the exact thresholds remain uncertain.
Around 230 million people live within one metre of today’s high tide lines. If sea-level rise hits 1 cm per year by the end of the century, experts say even wealthy countries will struggle to cope, and mass migration could follow.
Still, scientists stress that limiting warming remains vital. Every fraction of a degree avoided can slow the pace of sea-level rise and reduce long-term risks. “It’s not a reason to give up,” said lead author Prof Chris Stokes. “It’s a reason to act faster.”
Read next
08:30
Two staff members from the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., were shot and killed outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night, in what officials are calling a targeted and deeply disturbing act of violence. A suspect is currently in custody.
08:25
Amazon
Amazon continues to set the benchmark in logistics and operational excellence through its sophisticated inventory management techniques, enabling it to maintain a competitive edge and deliver exceptional customer service at scale.
06:00
Colombia lost nearly 88,900 hectares of forest — an area larger than New York City — in just six months, according to a new report from the country’s public watchdog.
05:00
A new report from the International Energy Agency warns that most critical minerals for clean energy are now controlled by a few countries, especially China, risking supply disruptions and higher prices globally.
04:00
Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Türkiye, Fahad bin Assaad Abu al-Nasr, and his wife, Rana Abdullah Bahamdan—chair of the Ankara Asia-Pacific Group—hosted a cultural event called “Tea Journey in Asia and the Pacific” on Wednesday to celebrate International Tea Day on May 21.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment