Rising Sea Levels: Predictions Now Double of What Was Expected
The News: Sea level rise could be larger than expected - LISTEN (BBC)
Scientists have warned that global sea levels could rise far more than predicted, due to an acceleration of the rate that ice is melting in Greenland and Antarctica.
Their new study projects that if the global temperature rises by more than two degrees, this would submerge one point eight million square kilometres of land.
LISTEN: Global sea levels could rise far more than predicted
Nearly two million square kilometres of land, including much of Bangladesh and Egypt's Nile Valley, and cities like London, New York and Shanghai are endangered by rising sea levels.
READ: Rise in global sea levels could have 'profound consequences'
Scientists believe that global sea levels could rise far more than predicted, due to accelerating melting in Greenland and Antarctica.
The long-held view has been that the world's seas would rise by a maximum of just under a metre by 2100.
This new study, based on expert opinions, projects that the real level may be around double that figure.
This could lead to the displacement of hundreds of millions of people, the authors say.
Rising rate of ice melt in Greenland and Antarctica
LISTEN: Threat to major cities by rising sea levels
Also of interest: BBC Environmental History, (various)
Scientists have warned that global sea levels could rise far more than predicted, due to an acceleration of the rate that ice is melting in Greenland and Antarctica.
Their new study projects that if the global temperature rises by more than two degrees, this would submerge one point eight million square kilometres of land.
LISTEN: Global sea levels could rise far more than predicted
Nearly two million square kilometres of land, including much of Bangladesh and Egypt's Nile Valley, and cities like London, New York and Shanghai are endangered by rising sea levels.
READ: Rise in global sea levels could have 'profound consequences'
Scientists believe that global sea levels could rise far more than predicted, due to accelerating melting in Greenland and Antarctica.
The long-held view has been that the world's seas would rise by a maximum of just under a metre by 2100.
This new study, based on expert opinions, projects that the real level may be around double that figure.
This could lead to the displacement of hundreds of millions of people, the authors say.
- Antarctic instability 'is spreading'
- Thousands of penguin chicks wiped out
- Warning from 'Antarctica's last forests'
Rising rate of ice melt in Greenland and Antarctica
LISTEN: Threat to major cities by rising sea levels
Also of interest: BBC Environmental History, (various)