News Image

Latest News

Climate change: US sea levels to rise as much in 30 years as in previous hundred, study warns

The US will experience as much sea level rise in the next 30 years as in the previous hundred years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted in a report on Tuesday. The study forecasts a "profound" increase in the frequency of coastal flooding, even in the absence of storms or heavy rainfall, as sea levels creep up a further 25-30cm on average by 2050.  

The new data is the "the latest reconfirmation that our climate crisis... is blinking 'code red'", said Gina McCarthy, US climate adviser. Many sea level predictions focus on the year 2100, but scientists hope the 2050 data in this study will help communities to plan for and adapt to the changing climate around the corner. "The changes are slow and incremental, but after decades would become devastating without proper action," said Ilan Kelman, professor of disasters and health at University College London.
"We must start now, immediately acting and planning for the next century to ensure that we can experience these changes without catastrophe," Prof Kelman said.
Dr Vikki Thompson, senior research associate at Bristol University, said the UK was also "likely to experience as much sea level rise as occurred in the last century in the next 30 years, and this will lead to an increase in coastal flooding".