A few days ago, I posted the latest news: the West Antarctic ice sheet is melting at an accelerated rate, a process that may contribute to rising sea levels anywhere from a few inches up to four feet by 2100, depending. Make a lot of progress on reducing GHG emissions: a few inches; make no progress on emissions: four feet.
As recently as 15 minutes ago, the NASA website confirmed that measurements on West Antarctica:
"...yielded evidence of rapid retreat between 1992 and 2011. More importantly, the researchers did not find a 'major bed obstacle that would prevent the glaciers from further retreat and draw down the entire basin.'"
That was then; this is now. As it turns out, Science just published a study last week, offering:
"...a glimmer of hope, documenting a process that could slow the collapse. As ice melts and the load on the crust lightens, the bedrock beneath West Antarctica is rising rapidly. In places it could rise 8 meters over the coming century—potentially protecting the ice from the warm seawater that is melting it from below. Katie Langin, "Rising bedrock below West Antarctica could delay catastrophic ice sheet collapse", June 21, 2018
Of course, the Science piece includes the usual warnings that come with any news that has the potential to undermine resolve: "It's not a get out of jail free card".
Next: What to do about rising sea levels.