Fact Check: "Climate change is causing sea levels to rise."
What We Know
The scientific consensus is clear that climate change is a significant driver of rising sea levels. According to NASA, approximately 97% of climate scientists agree that human-caused climate change is occurring. This consensus is supported by extensive research indicating that the warming of the Earth’s surface and oceans, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels, is leading to changes in climate patterns. Specifically, NASA's Global Climate Change reports that global sea levels are rising as a direct result of human-induced global warming, with recent rates being unprecedented over the past 2,500 years.
Further supporting this claim, a study conducted by researchers from the University of Central Florida and Princeton University found a strong scientific consensus on long-term changes in mean sea-level rise, corroborated by tide gauge observations and data-informed modeling (Princeton University). This study highlights that extreme storm surges, which can exacerbate sea-level rise, are becoming more frequent and intense in certain regions of the U.S., further stressing the impact of climate change on sea levels.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that climate change is causing sea levels to rise is robust and comes from multiple credible sources. NASA's extensive research and the endorsement of nearly 200 scientific organizations worldwide bolster the reliability of the information. The consensus among scientists is not merely anecdotal; it is based on rigorous peer-reviewed studies that have consistently shown a correlation between rising greenhouse gas emissions and increasing global temperatures, leading to thermal expansion of seawater and melting ice sheets (NASA, Princeton University).
Moreover, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that human activities are the principal driver of many observed changes in the climate system, including sea-level rise. This is further supported by the findings of various scientific bodies, such as the American Geophysical Union and the U.S. Global Change Research Program, which have all concluded that human influence is a dominant factor in observed climate changes (NASA).
While some may argue that natural variability contributes to sea-level changes, the overwhelming majority of scientific evidence indicates that the current rate of change is primarily anthropogenic. The studies referenced demonstrate a clear pattern of rising sea levels linked to climate change, making the claim credible and well-supported.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "climate change is causing sea levels to rise" is substantiated by a wealth of scientific evidence and consensus among climate scientists. The data indicates that human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases, are the primary drivers of the observed increases in global sea levels. This conclusion is supported by multiple reputable scientific organizations and peer-reviewed studies, affirming the reality of climate change and its impacts on sea levels.
