The collapse of Antarctica's 'Sleeping Giant' could trigger global changes in the coming centuries, according to new warningsfrom scientists.
If the climate crisis continues on its current trajectory, the melting of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) alone will raise sea levels by about 3–10 feet (1–3 m) by 2300, adding 7 2500 It will be minus 16.4 feet (2 to 5 meters) by the year.
The team notes that this catastrophic consequences of global warming could be avoided if the world meets his 2015 Paris Agreement goals. Nearly all countries have signed agreements that seek to do their part to keep global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, or at least "well below" 2 degrees Celsius.
The Earth has now warmed about 1.1 degrees Celsius since the industrial revolution began. The Earth is expected to reach 2.7°C by her 2100 as greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated, largely due to the burning of fossil fuels. By 2500 he is projected to increase sea level rise by less than half a meter.
If emissions are significantly reduced, the 'sleeping giants' that make up the majority of glaciers are likely to remain ice on Earth -- not increasing sea level rise in the coming decades.
Nonetheless, sea-level rise is inevitable due to melting in the West Antarctic and Arctic regions. In particular, scientists warn that the chances of avoiding the awakening of the "sleeping giant" are rapidly closing.
The team will examine how the EAIS behaved during the Earth's past warm periods and analyze existing research to see how future emission levels will affect over the next few centuries. I predicted.
“An important lesson from the past is that EAIS is highly sensitive to relatively modest warming scenarios. It is not as stable and protected as once thought. No,” said co-author Professor Nerily Abram of the Australian National University School of Earth Sciences.
“Achieving and strengthening our commitments to the Paris Agreement will not only protect the world's largest ice sheet, but also protect other countries, such as Greenland and West Antarctica, which are more vulnerable to global warming.
Co-author Professor Matthew England of the University of New South Wales notes that satellite observations have already shown that the ice is thinning, and that vast ice sheets are likely to melt. Saying they are showing signs of regressing, Professor Matt King of the University of Tasmania said: Much more work was needed in East Antarctica.
"We understand the Moon better than East Antarctica, so we do not yet fully understand the climate risks arising from this area," said Professor King.
Professor Abram said scientists once thought East Antarctica was less susceptible to the climate crisis than other polar regions, but that is no longer the case. Keeping the Earth below 2 degrees of her is very important.
"This means that the fate of the world's largest ice sheet is in our hands," she added.
