Global sea levels rose faster in the 20th

Over the course of the 20th century, sea levels across the globe rose faster than in any of the previous 29 centuries.

Scientists discovered that the 5.5-inch (14cm) global rise is at least twice as much as would have been seen without global warming.

In fact, they believe levels might have actually fallen if it hadn’t been for soaring global temperatures.

‘The 20th century rise was extraordinary in the context of the last three millennia – and the rise over the last two decades has been even faster,’ said Professor Robert Kopp.

The scientists built a database of geological sea-level indicators from marshes, coral atolls and archaeological sites at 24 locations around the world, covering the past 3,000 years.

Rising sea levels could destroy many of the nesting sites used by endangered sea turtles around the world, a new study has warned.

Researchers have found that as coastal nesting sites become flooded with sea water more often, many turtle populations will struggle to produce sufficient young.

This is leading to just 10 per cent of the eggs hatching into turtles, while in other parts of the world usually around 90 per cent of eggs hatch.

The researchers found that eggs submerged in sea water for up to six hours had a far reduced chance of hatching as the embryos struggled to get enough oxygen to survive.

They also looked at tide gauge recordings for the last 300 years from 66 other locations.

This information was used to calculate how temperatures relate to the rate of sea-level change.

Using this new technique, the researchers showed that the world’s sea level fell by about 11 inches (8cm) between 1000 and 1400AD, when the planet cooled by about 0.2°C.

Global average temperature today is about 1°C higher than at the end of the 19th century.

It also found that , had global warming not occurred in the 20th century, the change in sea level would ‘very likely’ have been between a decrease of 1.1 inch (3cm) and a rise of 2.8 inches (7cm ).

Instead, the world actually saw a rise of 14cm.

Professor Kopp estimates that sea levels will rise by 20 inches to 51 inches (50cm to 130cm) in the 21st century, if the world continues to rely on fossil fuels.

Source: Daily Mail

N.H.Kh