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The world's worst fears about global warming, and the consequent rise in sea-levels may one day become a reality, according to a recent research carried out on the subject.
According to an Australian climate change research, published a few days ago, the average level of oceans has risen by 19.5cm since 1870 and the rate is ever progressing.
It has provided evidence of the 20th century acceleration in the rise of sea-level, and supports predictions that the world's oceans will rise 31cm above the 1990 levels by 2100.
According to the author of the study, CSIRO chief research scientist, John Church, it was now clear that there would be significant sea-level rise without major changes to human behaviour.
"Clearly, the rise in sea-level will be reported in metres unless we have a substantial decrease in greenhouse gas emissions," Dr Church told The Australian.
The study was conducted with CSIRO scientist Neil White using data from tide gauges and satellite measurements, and the results vindicated sea-level rise projections by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate.
"Although predicted by models, this is the first time a 20th century acceleration has actually been detected," Church added.
The study claims that the sea level rose by an average 16cm during the 20th century, with a rough year-on-year increase of 1.7cm. The rise in sea level dates back to as early as the first half of the 19th century, when the global sea level was about 20cm below current levels.