Title: Predictions of Future Global Climate | UCAR Center for Science Education
Headings: Predictions of Future Global Climate
Predictions of Future Global Climate
Abrupt changes are also possible as the climate warms.

Content: A warmer climate causes sea level to rise via two mechanisms: ( 1) melting glaciers and ice sheets (ice on land) add water to the oceans, raising the sea level, and (2) ocean water expands as it warms, increasing its volume and thus also raising sea level. During the 20th Century, sea levels rose about 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches). Thermal expansion and melting ice each contributed about half of the rise, though there is some uncertainty in the exact magnitude of the contribution from each source. By the year 2100, models predict sea level will rise between 30 and 100 cm (12 to 39 inches) depending on how much we are able to reduce the amount of climate warming. Acidic Ocean Water: Earth’s oceans are predicted to act as a buffer against climate change by taking up some of the excess heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is good news in the short run, but more problematic in the long run. Carbon dioxide combined with seawater forms weak carbonic acid. Scientists believe this process has reduced the pH of the oceans by about 0.1 pH since pre-industrial times.