The development comes after researchers studied the potential effects of melting ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland – variables that were not considered previously.

While estimates originally suggested a rise of around 20 to 60cm by 2100, new evidence has led to scientists predicting a rise of up to 150cm within the same timeframe, according to the Daily Telegraph.

British Antarctic Survey spokesman Dr David Vaughan explained that people are finally beginning to realise the impact global warming could have.

“It is now clear that there are going to be massive flooding disasters around the globe,” he warned.

“Populations are shifting to the coast, which means that more and more people are going to be threatened by sea level rises.”

Scientists at the Copenhagen convention spoke of sea levels threatening low-lying coastal cities and causing ferocious storms to batter the UK and Ireland.

The Netherlands would be particularly at risk as much of the country lies below sea level.

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