Scientific reticence and sea level rise

2007/03/23 by J. E. Hansen, J E Hansen · 4 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Geophysics and Gravity Measurements #Ocean Acidification Effects and Responses #Science and Climate Studies #physics.ao-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/1748-9326/2/2/024002

published as Rev. text publ. in Environmental Research Letters, 2, 024002 (2007) · 9 pages, no figures; submitted to Environmental Research Letters

arxiv created 2007/03/23 · openalex publication_date 2007/04/01 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

I suggest that a 'scientific reticence' is inhibiting the communication of a threat of a potentially large sea level rise. Delay is dangerous because of system inertias that could create a situation with future sea level changes out of our control. I argue for calling together a panel of scientific leaders to hear evidence and issue a prompt plain-written report on current understanding of the sea level change issue.

Citations

• A Pliocene‐Pleistocene stack of 57 globally distributed benthic δ18O records
• Glacier acceleration and thinning after ice shelf collapse in the Larsen B embayment, Antarctica

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