Ocean Science, February 2
Ice sheets and oceans take centuries to fully respond to changes in greenhouse gas concentrations and atmospheric temperatures, and the amount of sea level rise that will take place by 2100 is only the beginning of this response, which will take place over many centuries. New models that correlate average global surface temperatures from 1850 to 2017 with the rate of observed global sea level rise produce more accurate measurements. Going forward, and using this method for future projections suggests that the maximum projected global sea level rise of 1.1 meters in recent IPCC reports is an underestimate, and the maximum level may well be higher, even not taking into account abrupt processes such as potential collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS).
Compiled by Amy Imdieke.
By Science Writing Intern Haily Landrigan, Global Outreach Director Amy Imdieke, and ICCI Director Pam Pearson.
Published Feb. 5, 2021 Updated Jul. 12, 2022 3:23 pm