The German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) presented its special study "The Future Oceans - warming up, rising high, turning sour" to the German government and policy-makers on 31 May 2006.
The report shows the dramatic impact of climate change on the state of the world's oceans and the consequences for humanity. "Ocean surface waters are warming, the sea level is rising ever faster, the oceans are becoming increasingly acidic and marine ecosystems are under threat", says the report. It recommends ambitious greenhouse gas emission cuts by 2050 (halving from 1990 levels).
According to Stefan Rahmstorf, one of the authors of the report, sea levels could raise by one meter by 2100. This would be a direct threat for cities such as Venice, St. Petersburg or New York. Lots of people living close to coastal areas would experience floods and heavy hurricanes.
