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NASA Scientists Suggest We've Been Underestimating Sea Level Rise (vice.com)

Posted by msmash on from the wrong-estimation dept.

Our current estimate about the global sea level is "way off" according to a new study. The study published in Geophysical Research Letters this month suggests that our historial sea level records have been off by an underestimation of five to 28 percent. From a report on Motherboard: Global sea level, the paper concluded, rose no less than 5.5 inches over the last century, and likely saw an increase of 6.7 inches. The reason for this discrepancy was uncovered by earth scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. By comparing newer climate models with older sea level measurements, the team discovered that readings from coastal tide gauges may not have been as indicative as we thought. These gauges, located at more than a dozen sites across the Northern Hemisphere, have been a primary data source for estimating sea level changes during the last several decades. "It's not that there's something wrong with the instruments or the data, but for a variety of reasons, sea level does not change at the same pace everywhere at the same time," said Philip Thompson, the study's lead author and associate director of the University of Hawa'i Sea Level Center, in a statement. "As it turns out, our best historical sea level records tend to be located where past sea level rise was most likely less than the true global average."

7 of 258 comments (clear)

  1. The evidence is wrong... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Trust our data models.

    I buy that. Sure.

    1. Re:The evidence is wrong... by srmalloy · · Score: -1, Troll

      I guess the line-of-dominos "[Month] was the hottest [month] in recorded history" headlines they've been pumping out having been flogging enough climate-change fear and panic from the populace to get the buy-in that the administration needs to get support for the Paris accords, which will cost trillions of dollars for a net temperature reduction of 0.3C if fully implemented.

  2. NOAA says no by SuperKendall · · Score: -1, Troll

    NASA is once again figuring out how to doctor data to make you panic. NOAA has other thoughts.

    What a shame that NASA, an organization once devoted to science, has fallen so far to become essentially the national enquirer of climate. sea level rise is the new Bat Boy...

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:NOAA says no by dywolf · · Score: -1, Troll

      and yet when NOAA reports findings that further the science of global warming, and NASA makes a contradictory report, you are among the first to use the NASA report to bash the NOAA one.

      its almost like youre picking who to support based on some preconceived notion of your own, rather than on the science being presented.

      NEWSFLASH: different groups of scientists have disagreements.
      but that doesn't mean that either one or both are wrong.
      Even within each individual agency, within NASA, and within NOAA, you will several different research groups, researching the same things, even with the data oftentimes, who will arrive at differing conclusions.

      this is the scientific process, and it involves discussion and review before something is completely rejected.

      and it doesn't need its waters muddied by ignorant agenda pushers like you.

      --
      The guy who said the election was rigged won the presidency with the second-most votes.
  3. OUR MODELS ARE ALWAYS RIGHT! by CajunArson · · Score: 0, Troll

    You evil denialist filth! Off to the gas chambers! The models are always right! The science is settled dammit!

    Oh wait, you mean we are saying that we were "wrong" in a direction that happens to be politically convenient for the people running the show and requesting taxpayer money?

    In that case, the science isn't settled you denialist scum!

    --
    AntiFA: An abbreviation for Anti First Amendment.
  4. Came to see deniers enter on cue... by Zontar+The+Mindless · · Score: 0, Troll

    ...was not disappointed.

    --
    Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
  5. About These Weekly Climate Panic Articles... by RobotRunAmok · · Score: -1, Troll

    Slashdot, we get that the Church of Climate Change vs. The Heretics drama is good for engagement and pageviews and whatever, but aren't you afraid you might be milking it a bit too hard? Once or twice a month, maybe you put some popcorn on the popper, trot out one of these "Sky is Falling! Repent Sinners!" articles, and watch the post count roll up, sure, but it seems like it's every week now... you're starting to wade into self-parody, and I know that can't be helpful...