Even if global warming is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the world could still face rising sea levels, according to British and American scientists in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. 'The Netherlands is vulnerable, so we have a strong interest in effective global climate policy,' says Detlef van Vuuren, climate scientist and professor at Utrecht University.
Despite the Paris Agreement's temperature goals, ice sheets may not be safe. Van Vuuren remains somewhat optimistic: 'The further we limit temperature rise, the lower the risks of catastrophic sea level rise.' However, staying below 1.5 degrees is becoming nearly impossible, making it crucial to stay as far below 2 degrees as possible.
The Paris Agreement has been signed by 159 member states, but the US—one of the largest polluters—withdrew under Trump. Van Vuuren suggests that remaining parties must intensify efforts. Economically, limiting temperature rise is beneficial: 'The damage from climate change outweighs prevention costs.'
Even if the 1.5-degree threshold is exceeded, solutions like CO2 removal or reforestation could reverse the trend. However, current projections indicate faster sea level rise, requiring robust global climate policies.