Global Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the United States National Climate Assessment

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), released a report this month examining the potential global impacts of a rise in sea levels.

The report finds that the rise in sea levels worldwide "has been a persistent trend for decades. It is expected to continue beyond the end of this century, which will cause significant impacts in the United States (US). Over eight million people live in areas at risk to coastal flooding, and many of the nation's assets related to military readiness, energy, commerce, and ecosystems are already located at or near the ocean."

Research carried out for this report finds that the sea levels will increase at least eight inches, and probably no more than 6.6 feet, by the year 2100. This is due primarily to ocean warming and ice sheet loss, although "the relative magnitude of each of these factors in the future remains highly uncertain."

This report was written "by a group of a dozen researchers from government and academia across the country. They pulled together data from existing scientific studies about sea level rise and say they're more than 90 percent confident about their predictions."

read more