Antarctic ice melt threatens Australia with rising tides
"The loss of ice at the poles, leading to a rapid and catastrophic rise in sea levels, is possible within our lifetime," warn scientists specialising in polar research at the recently concluded Australian Antarctic Research Conference.
Hundreds of scientists gathered at the "emergency summit" at the University of Tasmania in Hobart, where about 500 polar researchers participated, to discuss Antarctica's uncertain future. The Australian Antarctic Research Conference clearly sent a clear message that urgent action is needed to prevent the melting of Antarctica's ice and the catastrophic rise in sea levels worldwide.
Polar researchers warn of possible flooding of Australia's coasts
"Nowhere on Earth is there greater uncertainty in sea level rise forecasts than from East Antarctica, in Australia's neighbourhood. The East Antarctic ice sheet alone contains enough water to raise global sea levels by about 50 metres if it completely melts. The consequences for our coastal cities and infrastructure are enormous," states a declaration signed by 500 polar scientists.
They further note that "the Southern Ocean and Antarctica - forming the planet's oceanic carbon sink and air conditioner - have been underestimated. The changes caused by global warming observed in this region are immense. Recent studies have shown record low levels of sea ice, extreme heatwaves exceeding 40°C above average temperatures, and increased instability around key ice shelves. The changing ecosystems on land and sea underscore the rapid and unprecedented transformations of this sensitive region."
Are the changes in Antarctica already irreversible?
Scientists also warn that "the loss of ice at the poles, leading to a rapid and catastrophic rise in sea levels, is possible within our lifetime." They also ponder whether irreversible tipping points have passed and - most worryingly - believe it cannot be determined. "Failure to rapidly curb carbon emissions - every year and every tonne - commits current and future generations to greater sea level rise," scientists write.
According to the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP), the organisation behind the Australian summit, global sea levels have risen by about 10 centimetres over the past 30 years. Melting ice from Antarctica, mainly due to climate change, is one of the main contributors to this rise. As the AAPP warns, if the world increases its greenhouse gas emissions, coastal cities in Australia will likely see a sea-level rise of about 79 centimetres by 2100.
As scientists emphasise, the world must implement "deep, rapid, and sustained" reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the impending disaster.
