Rising sea levels have been a record for the last 3,000 years.

Sea level and average temperature of the planet

Ecologists from Rutgers University (New Jersey, USA) collected a large database of the level of the World Ocean from various sources, and after conducting a statistical analysis, they found out : the current rise in water level is unprecedented in the entire history of observations. Both the water level and the rate of its growth exceed the figures from previous observations.

A significant increase in the level that began in the 19th century and developed in the 20th, with a statistical probability of more than 95%, is faster than in the previous 27 centuries. In total, the level rose by 14 cm in the 20th century, although an extrapolation of historical data suggests that the level should have changed by no more than 7 cm.
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The usual fluctuations throughout history were about ± 8 cm. From 0 to 700 years, an increase was observed, and in the period from 1000 to 1400 - a decrease in the level along with the global cooling. These data coincide with data on average temperature collected by other researchers.

For the first time, data from sources all over the world were compiled for the study, and as a result, a base appeared reflecting global trends, and not just local data. The data reflects the measurement of the levels of the World Ocean at 24 points of the globe.

Direct scientific measurements of sea level began only in the 18th century. To determine earlier indicators, scientists use indirect data, such as the number of microorganisms in corals at certain depths. The generalization of such data allows smoothing errors and revealing the overall picture.

Extrapolation of the current picture allowed scientists to assume that without a significant limitation of greenhouse gas emissions, by the year 2100 we will be able to see an increase in the level of the World Ocean by 50-130 cm. If we are seriously concerned with limiting emissions, the increase may be limited to 25-60 cm.