Rapid Emissions Reductions May Kickstart Stabilizing Feedback for Antarctica

Science Advances, August 4, 2024

A state-of-the-art ice sheet model predicting future sea-level rise shows that humanity may be able to kickstart strong stabilizing feedbacks that could greatly reduce Antarctic ice loss if rapid emissions reductions are taken within the next few years. The study showed that under low carbon emissions, rebounding areas of the continent — uplifted after the weight of ice is removed — may be able to reduce Antarctica’s long-term contribution to global sea-level rise by up to ~40% after the year 2100. Such feedbacks could effectively reduce and delay the challenge that Antarctic ice loss will pose to coastlines around the world, slowing it to a pace where coastal communities can successfully adapt and defend against the rising water. However, under the high emissions of today, authors found that such rebounding would be outpaced by the higher rate of ice loss and resulting sea-level rise – underlining the critical importance of rapidly reducing global emissions within the next few years.

Full paper: https://doi.org/doi:10.1126/sciadv.adn1470