Glaciers Melting 10X Faster than Original Assessment-Coastal Cities May Soon Be Underwater

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Did you know fully 40% of the country has never heard of climate change or global warming? So, if we can’t figure out how to educate them how are we going to figure out how to educate that roughly 23% that doesn’t think it’s real?

There has actually been an increase in the proportion of Americans who believe global warming is not happening (23%, up 7 percentage points since April 2013). But about two in three Americans (63%) believe global warming is happening, a number that has been consistent since spring 2013.

A recent study conducted by a team of top scientists may be what finally sparks global commitment to sustainable alternatives, as it casts extreme doubt about the near-term stability of global sea levels.

Written by NASA’s former lead climate scientists, James Hansen, and 16 co-authors (most whom are recognized as the top in their fields) the study concludes that glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica will melt 10 times faster than previously estimated, resulting in a sea level rise of at least 10 feet in as little as 50 years.

The lead scientist acknowledges that his study implies change far beyond previous consensus estimates but feels confident in the accuracy of what was found. He said he hoped the new results would be “substantially more persuasive than anything previously published.”

To determine their findings, the scientists used a mixture of paleoclimate records, computer models, and observations of current rates of sea level rise. However, the “real world is moving somewhat faster than the model,” reports Hansen.

The entire study has just been made available here.

According to the study, a faster rise in sea levels could lead to a number of climate change “feedbacks” that could shut down the oceans’ circulation; stratify the polar seas with warmer waters trapped below cold surface layers; increase the temperature difference between low and high latitudes; and generate stronger storms.

Obviously, it isn’t looking good for coastal cities in the future.

About Post Author

Peter Lake

Peter Lake hails from the Midwest, but is now living in Germany. He is a professional writer who spent many years honing his craft at a well known newspaper. Peter originally sent an article to us through the citizen journalist program and decided to stay. We are glad he did.

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