A new study by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has revealed that 122 major fossil fuel and cement companies, referred to as “Carbon Majors,” are responsible for 37% of the global sea-level rise observed since the late 1800s. The study underscores how their emissions have contributed to nearly half of the global temperature rise, accelerating the melting of ice sheets and glaciers. The findings suggest that, even without additional emissions, these companies’ historical outputs could cause 26 to 55 centimeters (10 to 22 inches) of further sea-level rise by 2300. UCS, an environmental nonprofit, used publicly available data on industrial emissions from 1965 to 2022 to calculate these impacts.
The study also highlights the disproportionate effects of this pollution on vulnerable coastal and island nations, such as the Marshall Islands, Bangladesh, and Maldives, where sea-level rise could be up to 34% higher than the global average. This stark imbalance calls for urgent climate action from both governments and corporations. The United Nations has been a key player in pushing global climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, aimed at reducing emissions and limiting global warming. However, the study stresses that accountability from major polluters and stronger climate policies are critical to preventing further environmental damage and protecting those most at risk from rising seas. More