Study: Cutting emissions now can save us from future disasters
A new study says cutting greenhouse gas emissions right now could save us from a 0.6m sea-level rise by 2300.
If we keep polluting until 2090, we're looking at an almost 0.8m rise that can't be reversed.
Acting fast could prevent about 0.6m of that, helping us stick to the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C.
Sea levels don't react instantly
Sea levels don't react instantly—they keep rising for centuries after the planet warms.
Even the increase we've already locked in means cities and islands will need expensive protections like higher flood barriers, especially in crowded coastal areas and low-lying Pacific islands.
Research beyond 2100
Most research stops at 2100, but this study looks much further ahead.
The authors say understanding these long-term effects is crucial for making smart climate choices now—what we do today really shapes the future.
Regional variations in sea-level rise
Some regions, like Pacific atolls, face even faster sea-level rise than others.
The study highlights that regional and local changes must be understood in much greater detail to inform adaptation planning for the most vulnerable areas.