Question: If we carry on using fuel and melting icebergs in the Antarctic, how many years do you think water could actually start flooding the planet, including our country?

Rachel Meacock answered on 19 Jun 2020:

This is a difficult one to answer, because this is one of many situations which could occur if climate change continues at the rate it already has. Essentially, changes need to be made to reduce our carbon and greenhouse gas emissions to “net zero” (equal amounts being produced and removed from the atmosphere at the same time). This does not mean simply stopping using fuel, more adapting to gain energy from renewable or more sustainable sources. We don’t need to reduce our emissions to zero, just enough so that we aren’t putting in more than the planet can handle.
Currently, the world is aiming to reduce emissions by around 45% by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050, which will make a huge difference but is not easy without effort from all countries. To answer the question, we have around 10 years left to reduce our emissions to prevent changes to the planet that can’t be reversed. Increased flooding is a huge part of this, but something that is likely to primarily affect coastal areas and settlements near bodies of water, such as rivers.
Our country is currently one of the leaders for renewable energy development and climate science, and the best thing we can do now is make sure we keep learning the science surrounding climate change and keep investing in new technologies which produce lower carbon emissions.