Rising Sea Levels Will Leave Just The Top Of Nelson’s Column Standing Above The Waves, Says Study

The world’s dependence on fossil fuels will cause sea levels to rise leaving just the top half of Nelson’s column poking through the waves, says a new study.

Burning just half of the remaining fossil fuels will affect the planet for more than 100,000 years, scientists warn.

It would cause a seven degree Celsius or 44.6 Fahrenheit increase in global temperatures and sea levels to rise by 50m, says the research.

This means just 23m, including the 6m statue of Nelson, of the 51m tall monument would be visible.

Published in the journal, Nature Climate Change, the study says that at the current rate humans are pumping carbon into the atmosphere, the Earth may suffer irreparable damage, with sea level rises affecting a fifth of the world’s population.

Oregon State University paleoclimatologist Professor Dr Peter Clark said: “Much of the carbon we are putting in the air from burning fossil fuels will stay there for thousands of years - and some of it will be there for more than 100,000 years.

"We can’t keep building seawalls that are 25 meters high. Entire populations of cities will eventually have to move.

"To spare future generations from the worst impacts of climate change, the target must be zero - or even negative carbon emissions - as soon as possible.”

Image credit: Ken McKay/REX Shutterstock

Story: SWNS