Study cites specific pollutant cuts to curb sea level rise

By on April 18, 2013
Coastal area hit by elevated sea levels (Credit: NOAA)


A new study led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research has found that reducing certain pollutants could help stem sea level rise in the coming century, the National Center for Atmospheric Research reported.

Researchers used a computer model known as the Community Climate System Model to predict how the emission reductions of heat-trapping pollutants methane, tropospheric ozone, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon would impact global sea levels.

Reducing these emissions could help regulate sea levels because of their propensity to trap heat in the atmosphere, which accelerates the melting of ice sheets.

Researchers found that limiting the release of these pollutants, while also controlling carbon emissions, could help reduce estimated sea elevations by at least 30 percent by 2100.

Image: Coastal area hit by elevated sea levels (Credit: NOAA)

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