Global Sea Levels Rising Twice as Fast as Last Century, Major Report Reveals
A new scientific report has found that global sea levels are rising at an alarming rate, now averaging 4.3 millimeters per year, double the rate observed in the early 1900s. Researchers involved in the study warn that all ten indicators of climate change are trending negatively, with many worsening at an accelerated pace. Lead author Professor Piers Forster announced, “We see a clear and consistent picture that things are getting worse,” underscoring the ongoing rise in greenhouse gas emissions despite expectations for declines.
The report outlines significant implications for the UK, where an estimated 100,000 properties are projected to be at risk of coastal erosion within the next 50 years. This situation could lead to severe flooding and property damage, especially as the warming atmosphere triggers increased ice melt and thermal expansion of ocean water.
Dr. Aimee Slangen from the NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research emphasized that the slow nature of sea-level rise means further increases are already "locked in." The UK government is responding with a £7.9 billion investment in flood defenses, recognizing the pressing need to address climate vulnerabilities.
As the world faces a deteriorating climate scenario, experts insist that significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are crucial to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
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