Is Singapore headed for a 'Waterworld'-like ending?

Photo: Studies say the thawing of the West Antarctic ice sheet is irreversible and unstoppable; AFP Our island-state may inevitably be headed for a Waterworld-like scenario. According to a Channel NewsAsia report, two separate studies by NASA and the University of Washington reveal the irreversible and unstoppable thawing of the West Antarctic ice sheet may eventually result in sea levels rising by up to four metres in the coming centuries, posing a particular threat to coastal and low-lying areas like Singapore. Sounds very much like that '90s post-apocalyptic science fiction film to us. Researchers have cited global warming due to the release of greenhouse gases as the main contributing factor behind the ice sheet collapse. While an effort to curb such emissions may slow down the melting process, it will not completely stop it. NASA studied six glaciers in western Antarctica, namely Haynes, Kohler, Pine Island, Pope, Smith and Thwaites glaciers, while the University of Washington focused on the Thwaites alone.