Melting Arctic ice threat to 1.5m homes in Britain

UP to 1.5 million UK homes face an increased risk of flooding by 2080 triggered by melting Arctic ice, MPs heard.

- Danny Halpin

Greenhouse gases have already warmed the atmosphere enough to lock in a world sea level rise of 17.5 to 52.4mm by 2100, experts told Parliament's polar research group.

As Arctic sea ice melts, the rate at which it disappears will rise as more of the sun's energy is absorbed by the dark ocean, rather than reflected back into space.

Submerged

Scientists said rising sea levels would erode British coasts and threaten homes and London's Thames barrier would need upgrading to deal with higher tides.