Global temperature increase could raise sea levels significantly

Each degree Celsius increase in temperature that occurs as a result of climate change could result in sea levels rising by 2.3 metres, according to new scientific findings. The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research has used evidence relating to earth's climate history to create computer simulations that signal how atmospheric warming could affect sea levels across the world.

The research took into account a range of contributing factors that could lead to the steady long-term increase in sea levels. Factors included the melting of mountain glaciers and of ice sheets in the Antarctic and Greenland, and the thermal expansion of the world's oceans.

Many scientists agree that the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, from energy generating plants, combustible engines and other man-made devices, is trapping heat in the atmosphere, which is leading to the increase of global temperatures.

Although some scientists disagree that human actions are responsible for increasing temperatures, they do agree that temperatures are fluctuating but that natural causes are responsible. As a result, ice is melting at an increased rate, meaning that more water is finding its way into the oceans.

The research also took into account previous increases in sea levels, which found that over the last century sea levels rose by 17 metres. Currently the level at which the oceans are rising has increased by three millimetres a year, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Currently Greenland and the Antarctic account for around a third of the increase in sea levels.

The IPCC has recorded that the average surface temperatures of the earth have increased by around 0.8 degrees Celsius since the Industrial Revolution took place and the burning of coal for industrial reasons became widespread. Between the years 2016 and 2035 the IPCC has estimated that temperatures will increase between 0.4 and 1.0 degrees Celsius in comparison to the increases experienced during the 20 years before 2005.

With the 2.3 metre increase in sea levels, storms are likely to create more damage to coastlines throughout the world and could be the main cause of damage and flooding. Many scientists are disputing these results and suggest that the effects will not be as noticeable due to the fact that the rising temperatures are part of the natural cycle of the planet.