Another eye-roller from Michael D. Lemonick: Sea Level Rise: It Could Be Worse than We Think

A new analysis released Thursday in the journal Science implies that the seas could rise dramatically higher over the next few centuries than scientists previously thought — somewhere between 18-to-29 feet above current levels, rather than the 13-to-20 feet they were talking about just a few years ago.

The increase in sea level would largely come from the partial melting of giant ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica, which have remained largely intact since the end of the last ice age, nearly 20,000 years ago. But rising global temperatures, thanks to human greenhouse-gas emissions, have already begun to melt that ancient ice, sending sea level up 8 inches since 1880 alone, with as much as 6 feet or so of additional increase projected by 2100.

That’s not enough to inundate major population centers by itself, but coupled with storm surges, it could threaten millions of Americans long before the century ends. Around the world, sea level rise will put trillions in property at risk within the next few decades.

Climate Central

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3 Responses to Another eye-roller from Michael D. Lemonick: Sea Level Rise: It Could Be Worse than We Think

  1. Let’s not stop at 18-29 feet!!! And why wait until 2100???? How about this December?

    • “Around the world, sea level rise will put trillions in property at risk within the next few decades.”

      Nah. Most houses are under water already. THANKS, BARRY!

  2. “Trust us! We can see into the future! Now cross our palms with silver.”

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