Climate scientists have long warned that the effects of global warming are becoming increasingly irreversible, and one of the clearest signs is the steady rise in sea levels. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that by the end of this century, oceans could rise by up to one meter or more, reshaping coastlines and threatening millions of people living near the sea.
But what if all the planet’s ice were to melt?
A stunning video visualization by National Geographic offers a glimpse into that extreme — yet scientifically possible — scenario. According to the magazine’s research, if every glacier and ice sheet on Earth were to melt completely, global sea levels would rise by around 216 feet (66 meters).
The impact would be catastrophic.
Entire regions of the world would disappear beneath the oceans:
- New York, London, Shanghai, and Sydney would be submerged.
- The U.S. coastline would move hundreds of kilometers inland.
- In Europe, vast parts of the Netherlands and Denmark would vanish.
- Asia would lose huge stretches of its most densely populated land.
This dramatic transformation would redraw the map of our planet, creating new seas where continents once stood. Although such a total melt is unlikely to happen anytime soon, scientists say it reveals just how much ice influences Earth’s balance — and how sensitive the planet’s climate truly is.
The video serves as a powerful reminder: every fraction of a degree of warming matters. What may seem like a distant possibility today could become a harsh reality for future generations if global temperatures continue to rise unchecked.
Watch the video below to see what Earth might look like if all the ice melted — and imagine the world we must work to protect.
