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The Fear of London Underwater by 2100
The city of London has faced many challenges in its history: fires that have almost destroyed the city, a barrage of bombings in World War II, and one of the worst episodes of smog the world has ever seen. All of these problems may seem inconsequential when pitted against a new threat brought about by global warming. A recent discovery by scientists suggest that major urban centers such as London, New York, Bombay and Tokyo may be completely immersed in water by the turn of the century. This prediction is a result of new findings about the history of melting glaciers and ice caps.
By looking into the past, scientists have discovered the dangers of melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica. While it has always been accepted that a rise in planet temperature would lead to the melting of polar ice caps, scientists now believe that the change in sea level is highly underestimated. During the last interglacial period, which took place between the last two ice ages, 129,000-116,000 years ago, temperatures were strikingly similar to those predicted for Earth in the year 2100. The interglacial period and 2100 are both thought to have temperatures around 3° to 5° C higher than today. Initially, this rise in temperature was predicted to account for a rise in sea level of a few feet. However, scientists looked at coral reef records, ice cores and other records to make a more accurate account of the last interglacial period and subsequently, were able to determine a much higher level. The melted ice water in Greenland alone, accounted for a rise in sea level of up to 11 ft. As a result of this level increase, more ice shelves became in danger of melting and Antarctic ice melting brought the total rise in sea level to anywhere between 13 ft. and 20 ft. This startling data, allowed scientists to conclude that Greenland and Antarctica actually melt at a much higher rate than first speculated. The Greenland ice sheet, if melted completely, could raise sea levels by 23 ft. and the Antarctic sheet could raise water levels by another 20 ft. Though this process would take centuries, the fact that these ice sheets are currently thinning does shed some light on further destruction that could come.
These findings, which suggest a high rise in water levels by the year 2100 are cause for much concern on a global level. The loss of major world cities, such as London and Tokyo would greatly change the face of the world and the world's economy. Moreover, even if water levels do not reach 20 ft. by 2100, an increase of 10 ft. would still be more than enough to submerge many islands and coastal cities such as New Orleans. The threat of losing many of the world's most famous landmarks and cities is more than enough motivation to fight against the dangers of global warming. As the years progress, more effort must be put into reducing the effects of global warming, in hopes that polar sheets, primarily those in Greenland and Antarctica, remain intact. If action is not taken, even the most resilient of cities will fall victim to flood and complete submersion.
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