Abrupt Antarctic changes could have catastrophic consequences if emissions don’t fall
21 AUG 2025

Antarctica is at risk of abrupt and potentially irreversible changes to the continent’s ice, ocean and ecosystems that could have profound implications for Australia and beyond, unless urgent action is taken to curb global greenhouse gas emissions.

That’s according to new research published in Nature, from The Australian National University (ANU) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) in collaboration with each of Australia's major Antarctic research centres and scientists from overseas.

The research highlights the large and abrupt changes unfolding in Antarctica. The team of scientists explain how these changes are “interlinked” and have global climate ripple effects, especially for sea levels and ecosystems.

The researchers say the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is at severe risk of collapse. They say its collapse would raise sea levels by more than three metres, threatening the world’s coastal cities and communities.

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