">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Sea levels to surge 'at least a metre' by century end
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Search
Search:
Sea levels to surge 'at least a metre' by century end
AFP - Wednesday, March 11
COPENHAGEN (AFP) - - Months before make-or-break climate negotiations, a conclave of scientists warned Tuesday that the impact of global warming was accelerating beyond a forecast made by UN experts two years ago.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sea levels this century may rise several times higher than predictions made in 2007 that form the scientific foundation for policymakers today, the meeting heard.
In March 2007, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that global warming, if unchecked, would lead to a devastating amalgam of floods, drought, disease and extreme weather by the century end.
The world's oceans would creep up 18 to 59 centimetres (7 to 23 inches), enough to wipe out several small island nations, and wreak havoc for tens of millions living in low-lying deltas in east Asia, the Indian subcontinent and Africa.
But a new study, presented at the Copenhagen meeting on Tuesday, factored in likely water runoff from disintegrating glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica, and found the rise could be much higher.
The IPCC estimate had been based largely on the expansion of oceans from higher temperatures, rather than meltwater and the impact of glaciers tumbling into the sea.
Using the new model, "we get a range of sea level rise by 2100 between 75 and 190 centimetres when we apply the IPCC's temperature scenarios for the future," said climate expert Stefan Rahmstorf of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
Even if the world manages to dramatically cut the emission of greenhouse gases driving global warming, the "best estimate" is about one metre (3.25 feet), he said.
"A few years ago, those of us who talked about the impact of the ice sheets were seen as extremists. Today it is recognized as the central issue," said glaciologist Eric Rignot of the University of California at Irvine.
"The world has very little time," IPCC chief Rajendra Pachauri told the meeting after the new findings were presented.
Participants also spoke out about fears that greenhouse gases -- mainly emissions from oil, gas and coal -- could trigger tipping points that would be nearly impossible to reverse.
The shrinking of the Arctic ice cap, and the release of billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases trapped in melting permafrost are two such "positive feedbacks" that could become both cause and consequence of global warming.
"We need to look at what is a 'reasonable worst case' in the lifetime of people alive today," said John Ashton, Britain's top climate negotiator, noting even rich nations had yet to take such scenarios seriously.
"A sea level rise of one or two meters would not just be damaging for China, it would be an absolute catastrophe. And what is catastrophic for China is catastrophic for the world," he said.
Up to 600 million people living close to coast lines in poor and rich countries alike could be affected, said Konrad Steffen, head of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences in Boulder, Colorado.
"They will have to move -- it would change the whole structure of populations, and we know had badly we deal with migration," he told AFP.
Among the worst hit countries will be Bangladesh, which would lose some 17 percent of its landmass, displacing nearly 15 million people.
"These startling new predictions on sea levels rise spell disaster for millions of the world's poorest people," said Rob Bailey of Oxfam. "This must be a wakeup call for rich countries are not doing anywhere near enough to prevent these cataclysmic predictions becoming a reality."
More than 2,000 researchers from 80 countries responded to the open invitation to present their findings, which were then vetted by a panel of climate experts, many of them top figures in the IPCC.
"I and a lot of scientists see this meeting as an opportunity to update the science that has come out since the last IPCC report," said William Howard, a researcher from the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Australia.
"The huge response from scientists comes from a sense of urgency, but also a sense of frustration," said Katherine Richardson, head of the Danish government's Commission on Climate Change Policy.
Richardson said the 2007 IPCC report, called the Fourth Assessment Report, was an invaluable document but it would be years out of date when negotiators convene in Copenhagen in December to hammer out a global climate treaty.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (2 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Climate Change
Sea levels to surge 'at least a metre' by century endAFP - Wednesday, March 11
Scientists warn seas to rise faster than expectedAP - Wednesday, March 11
Salazar calls for solar, wind energy zonesAP - Tuesday, March 10
Clinton: US has been negligent on climate changeAP - Saturday, March 7
Related Full Coverage
climate change
climate change
All Full Coverage
Most Popular – Top Stories
Viewed
Chimp used planning skills to attack humans
World faces 'Great Recession': IMF chief
Madoff set to plead guilty, could face 150 yrs in jail
Global economy near pick-up: G10 bankers
Citi outlook sparks explosive Wall Street rally
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Wednesday, 11 March 2009 U.S.-China spat complicates minister's visit
| International
|
Mexican drug gangs dump human heads in ice coolers
| International
|
Italy high court to rule on CIA kidnap case
| International
|
EU's first 2009 bird flu case found in Germany
| International
|
IBM develops 3D patient record software
| Technology
|
Telecom firms eager to help U.S. spend $7.2 billion
| Technology
|
Inventor settles with Citrix on voicemail patent
| Technology
|
U.S. battle over patent reform headed for compromise?
| Technology
|
Tajikistan bans cellphones from schools
| Technology
|
Rap star Coolio charged with crack possession
| Entertainment
|
Netanyahu ally says met Syrian officials in U.S.
China navy officers harangue U.S. over ocean spat
| International
|
2 Iraqi journalists killed in Abu Ghraib bombing
Obama condemns Khartoum for expelling aid groups
| International
|
Suicide attack in west Baghdad kills up to 33
Suicide attack in west Baghdad kills up to 33
| International
|
U.S. media chiefs urge release of reporter in Iran
US Congress passes spending bill, eases Cuba curbs
Netanyahu ally says met Syrian officials in U.S.
| International
|
Madoff set to plead guilty, could face 150 yrs in jail
Israeli kids get rocket-proofed indoor playground
Madoff to plead guilty, prosecutors seek 150 years prison
Iraq suicide bomber kills 33 in Abu Ghraib
Citi outlook sparks explosive Wall Street rally
Another reformer enters Iran's presidential race
Delta Air Lines to slash 10 percent of international flight capacity
Top level Afghanistan meet on March 31: Netherlands
Sea levels to surge 'at least a metre' by century end
Istanbul prosecutor indicts 56 more in coup plot
Diarrhoea a major child killer despite easy treatment: WHO
Major attacks in Iraq since Jan. 1
Sea levels to surge 'at least a metre' by century end
Scientists warn seas to rise faster than expected
An Error has occured |
Iraq media booming, yet still in sectarian grip
| International
|
Malaysia Christians battle with Muslims over Allah
| International
|
Pakistan bans protests on eve of long march
| International
|
US awards contracts for new embassies
Scotland Yard team in Bangladesh for mutiny probe
| International
|
Iran lacks nuclear bomb fuel: US officials
Seattle P-I employees may lose jobs next week
San Francisco mayor "tweets" as California politics goes Twitter
Disney launches new fan website
UN expert wants Gitmo probe before camp closes
US embassy says non-vital staff may leave Sudan
Craigslist claims 'spectacular' results in curbing sex ads
Apple orders touchscreens for Q3: source
| Technology
|
Arrests as N. Ireland faces 'abyss' after new killing
US struggles to pinpoint cyber attacks: Top official
Sony, NBC ink content deal for PlayStation
| Technology
|
Hewlett Packard to create 500 jobs in Ireland
SF Chronicle, union reach tentative agreement
Telecom firms eager to help U.S. spend $7.2 billion
| Technology
|
U.S. battle over patent reform headed for compromise?
France proposes disconnecting Web music pirates
| Technology
|
Telecom firms eager to help U.S. spend $7.2 billion
Inventor settles with Citrix on voicemail patent
Tajikistan bans cell phones from schools
| Technology
|
A volatile corner of Afghanistan gets policing
NKorea reopens border to stranded SKorean workers
Sri Lanka suicide blast kills 14, wounds minister
China-US sea confrontations could continue
Japanese teams off to flying start in AFC Champions League
Hollywood actors split over vote on contract offer
Two mild quakes off Indonesia's coast: USGS
Smallpox vaccine good for biological attack
Chris Brown, Rihanna recording love duet: reports
| Entertainment
|
Officials: US ship in China spat was hunting subs
China-US sea confrontation may have tested waters
Leno offers free show for Detroit's unemployed
| Entertainment
|
15 dead, minister hurt in Sri Lanka mosque attack
Big Love makers apologize to Mormons, to air show
| Entertainment
|
S.Korean won up over 2 pct to hit near 3-wk high
Aussie politician turns rocker again for benefit gig
| Entertainment
|
HBO, Mormons square off over airing of sacred rite
Seoul shares open after U.S. rise; banks rally
Slumdog star to be feted at L.A. festival
| Entertainment
|
Bill Clinton to speak at publishers gathering
Orphanage director looks into Eclipse
| Entertainment
|
NZ terms of trade fall in Q4
"Big Love" makers apologize to Mormons, to air show
Devo whipping up first album since 1990
| Entertainment
|
NZ stocks open 2.2 percent higher
Bolshoi Theatre may not reopen till 2013: report
MTV sets its sights on comedy scripts
| Entertainment
|
Japan's MUFG to have director in Morgan Stanley board
Hollywood actors split over vote on contract offer
| Entertainment
|
Chris Brown, Rihanna recording love duet: reports
Hitachi to pay 31 mln dlr fine for LCD price-fixing
China auto sales up nearly 25 pct in Feb: state media
Leno offers free show for Detroit's unemployed
List of top 20 shows in prime-time Nielsen ratings
Japanese real estate investment firm files for bankruptcy
ABC's `The Bachelor' brings the women
SKorea urges US to ratify trade pact
Boyd, 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa' singer, dies
Hollywood actors split over vote on contract offer
Teenage gunman attacks German school, kills 15
| International
|
Israel-Lebanon borders stable despite attacks
North Korea accuses U.S. of plotting attack
| International
|
Media outlets: Iran must allow access to reporter
Anti-narcotics drive fuelled drug cartels: U.N.
| International
|
Former Saddam aide jailed for 15 years
| International
|
Swiss bank UBS says earnings 'at risk'
Hundreds flee as Sri Lanka fighting nears last throes
| International
|
Dutch advance with second World Baseball Classic stunner over Dominicans
Iran says capitalism on verge of collapse
| International
|
Migraines in pregnancy linked to stroke risk
Northern Irish unite in protest against killings
| International
|
Cash scandals hit rich, poor Latin Americans alike
| International
|
Dalai Lama hopes Beijing will use more common sense
| International
|
UN chief to share concerns with Congress
Cubans applaud U.S. bill easing trade, travel
Embattled top US intel pick Freeman withdraws: official
Eleven killed in Alabama shooting spree
Apple rolls out talking iPod Shuffle
| Technology
|
Eleven killed in Alabama shooting spree
Pearson partners with language website Livemocha
AT&T to spend $565 million for eco-friendly Ford cars
| Technology
|
Eight killed in Alabama shooting spree
Sony, NBC ink content deal for PlayStation
Nokia launches 3 music phones
| Technology
|
UN chief, Bill Clinton optimists on Haiti
Smartphone sales to jump in 2009: Gartner
| Technology
|
EU extends Microsoft antitrust deadline to April 21
| Technology
|
Pearson partners with language website Livemocha
| Technology
|
Sony, NBC ink content deal for PlayStation
Michael Jackson to add concerts after sellout
| Entertainment
|
Strategy shift in Philippines insurgency fight
China to hike security budget: state media
China navy officers harangue U.S. over sea spat
2 provinces in Pakistan ban protests
Son jailed for murdering family in Australia
Palm oil prices unlikely to reclaim highs soon: Sime Darby
"Slumdog" star to be feted at L.A. festival
NKorea says to take 'every measure' to protect itself
Japan's machinery orders in record losing streak
Ex-NKorea spy believes Japanese abductee still alive
Taiwan c.bnk behind half of Wed T$ trade -dealers
Philippine leader signs law on maritime borders
Human-looking robot smiles in Japan classroom
UN accuses Tamil Tigers of misusing food aid
Samsung to recruit 5,500 graduates amid crisis
Never a plain Jane _ Fonda makes Broadway return
SKorea wants to conclude Qualcomm probe soon
Sundance names John Cooper festival director
China's exports plunge again, but car sales rise
50 jobs in 50 weeks: US man's economic odyssey
Taiwan Formosa to resume No.1 unit, shut No.3 unit
Australian sport's drinking culture under spotlight
S.Korea takes lead for Jordan nuclear plant deal-report
Qaeda may outnumber tourists in Yemen's mythical land
Asia stock markets solidly higher
MTV sets its sights on comedy scripts
Pakistan c.bank sells 15 bln rupees of T-bills
"Orphanage" director looks into "Eclipse"
Aussie politician turns rocker again for benefit gig
"Slumdog" star to be feted at L.A. festival
Japan still searching for 16 missing sailors
Publisher pays big for Niffenegger's 2nd novel
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights