Unstoppable Melting: West Antarctic Ice Sheet's Inevitable Decline

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet, the largest contributor to global sea-level rise, is melting at an accelerated rate that cannot be stopped, according to researchers. Even under the best-case scenario of meeting ambitious Paris Accord targets, the ice sheet will still melt three times faster in the 21st century than it did in the 20th. The weakening of floating ice shelves will lead to increased flow of upstream glaciers towards the ocean, resulting in rising sea levels. While the melting is projected to slow at the end of the century, immediate action is needed to mitigate the long-term effects of sea-level rise.