Global sea levels are rising at an alarming rate, now twice as fast as they did in the last century. A recent scientific report highlights this critical issue, emphasizing that the decade of the 2020s is crucial for addressing climate change before it causes irreversible damage.
The study reveals that sea levels are currently rising by an average of 4.3 millimeters per year, a significant increase from the 1.8 millimeters per year recorded at the turn of the 20th century. This acceleration aligns with expectations based on ongoing climate change, driven largely by the continuous release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Lead author Professor Piers Forster expressed concern over the findings, noting that while the situation is unprecedented, it is not unexpected. The world is still emitting record levels of greenhouse gases, contributing to the worsening climate crisis.
Despite the grim news, there is a glimmer of hope: the rate of increase in emissions has slowed down, suggesting that there may be a chance for emissions to peak soon. This could provide an opportunity to mitigate some of the impacts of climate change.
The report warns that rising sea levels pose a significant threat, especially for countries like the UK. Coastal flooding, erosion, and damage to homes and infrastructure are expected to increase, with projections indicating that 100,000 properties in England could be at risk from coastal erosion within the next 50 years.
Dr. Aimee Slangen from the NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research noted that the slow response of sea levels to climate change means that further increases are already locked in for the coming decades.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the fact that the global budget for greenhouse gas emissions has drastically reduced. The amount of carbon dioxide that can still be emitted while keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius has fallen by 74%, leaving just three years’ worth of emissions available to meet this target.
The report, which involved over 60 scientists, also indicates that the planet is warming at an unprecedented rate of 0.27 degrees Celsius per decade. Professor Forster mentioned that the lack of positive indicators is concerning and emphasized the need for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions starting in 2024 to have any chance of limiting long-term warming.
In response to these challenges, scientists are urging world leaders to create more ambitious climate plans ahead of the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil this November. Dr. Valérie Masson-Delmotte highlighted that the future depends on the choices made today, emphasizing that reducing emissions can help protect future generations from worsening climate impacts.
As the world grapples with these pressing issues, the need for immediate action and informed decision-making has never been more critical.