Unavoidable future increase in West Antarctic ice-shelf melting over the twenty-first century
NatureOct 23, 2023
According to a study published by the British Antarctic Survey on Monday, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet would still collapse in the coming centuries even if the world successfully reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The study found that ice is set to melt three times more quickly in the 21st century than the previous century, even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C (2.7 °F) above pre-industrial levels.
This study is a wake-up call. Preventing a catastrophe is still possible and reducing greenhouse gas emissions could give societies time to prepare for and adapt to rising sea levels. Cutting CO2 would prevent the rest of the Antarctic Ice Sheet — containing more than ten times as many meters of sea-level rise — from melting.
This isn't the first time scientists have raised the alarm regarding the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The region witnessed similar lows in 2017 and 2022. While climate change is an urgent issue, its catastrophic framing alienates and polarizes large portions of the population. Climate alarmism must be taken with a grain of salt as it can risk doing more harm than good.
There's a 50% chance that sea levels will rise by at least 591mm in 2100, according to the Metaculus prediction community.