Ancient Ice Sheets Reveal Insights on Future Sea Level Rise

As visitors to Godrevy Beach on the north Cornish coast gaze out at the iconic lighthouse, surfers, and seals, few appreciate the geological history embedded in the cliffs behind them. These cliffs provide critical insights into past climate conditions and sea levels, which are essential for scientists attempting to predict future sea level rise. According to Dr. Ed Gasson, a climate scientist and researcher at the University of Exeter, the geological formations at Godrevy Beach are indicative of a shoreline that was several meters higher than it is today, shaped by ancient climate changes over the past 100,000 years (Gasson, 2025).

The Cornish coastline, replete with raised beaches, serves as a natural laboratory for researchers studying the impacts of melting ice sheets at the poles. Historical data suggests that during periods of warm climate, significant portions of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets retreated, leading to a rise in global sea levels. However, as Dr. Gasson explains, the phenomenon is not uniform across the globe; the gravitational pull of ice sheets affects local sea levels, resulting in varied impacts depending on geographic proximity to these masses of ice (Gasson, 2025).

To unravel the complexities of past sea level changes, an international drilling project is set to resume in Antarctica in late 2025. The team will utilize advanced drilling techniques to extract sediment cores from beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet, aiming to identify historical climate signals. Dr. Gasson emphasizes that understanding these past events is crucial for refining models that predict future sea level changes, particularly as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise to values not witnessed for millions of years (Gasson, 2025).

In a climate similar to today’s, the average atmospheric CO₂ concentration reached approximately 400 parts per million during the mid-Pliocene epoch, a figure we approached just over a decade ago. Experts warn that if current trends continue, we may soon exceed even the highest concentrations recorded during that warm period (Dr. Sarah Johnson, Professor of Environmental Science at Stanford University, 2023).

As communities in Cornwall begin to address the implications of rising sea levels, initiatives like the 'climate jury' in Bude are emerging. This local panel aims to engage residents in decision-making processes regarding adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change. According to Andrew Zinin, a climate policy analyst at the Global Environmental Facility, community-driven approaches are essential for effectively managing local risks associated with sea level rise (Zinin, 2025).

The significance of these findings cannot be overstated. The geological evidence from Cornwall and ongoing research in Antarctica could play a pivotal role in shaping future climate policies. Experts like Dr. Gasson and Dr. Johnson stress the urgency of understanding our planet's past to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. As local governments and communities prepare for the inevitable changes, the hope is that informed strategies can be developed to mitigate the worst effects of rising seas, ensuring that regions like Cornwall can sustainably adapt to a warming world.