In a new report, scientists emphasize the need to seriously consider geoengineering projects to protect our glaciers, otherwise, we should be prepared for a catastrophic rise in sea levels.
The report highlights that the ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland are melting rapidly.
Even if we succeed in reducing carbon emissions and limiting the global temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius, it is still unclear if these measures will be sufficient to prevent the collapse of the ice sheets.
If no action is taken, sea levels could rise by up to one meter by 2100, leading to the destruction of cities in low-lying areas and the displacement of millions of people.
To address this issue, scientists have proposed ideas such as installing curtains at the bases of glaciers or drilling into glaciers to drain meltwater from the ice sheets, which could slow down their melting rate.
The report calls for prioritizing carbon emission reductions along with serious research into the geoengineering of glaciers to examine its risks and benefits, and to avoid hasty decisions in the future.