30-Year Satellite Data Validates Early Climate Projections

A study published in Earth's Future reveals that climate models from the mid-1990s accurately predicted global sea-level rise, matching satellite observations over the past 30 years. Despite the relative crudeness of the models at the time, the projected 8-centimeter rise closely aligns with the observed 9 centimeters. This strongly supports the understanding of human-driven climate change and bolsters confidence in future projections. However, the study also highlights an underestimation of ice sheet melt, emphasizing the need to consider potential catastrophic ice sheet collapse, particularly threatening low-lying coastal regions in the US.