Rising sea levels caused by climate change will inundate many of the world’s largest oil handling ports, a study says, according to the Guardian.

Scientists have pointed out that this threat is ironic, since the burning of fossil fuels is a cause of global warming.

The scientific community has emphasized that reducing greenhouse gas emissions by switching to renewable energy sources will stop global warming and provide more reliable energy.

Thirteen of the ports with the highest bulk tanker traffic would be severely damaged by just 1 meter of sea level rise, according to a study.

Researchers noted that two low-lying ports in Saudi Arabia – Ras Tanura and Yanbu – are most at risk. Both ports are operated by Aramco, the Saudi state oil company, with 98% of the country’s oil exports going through these ports.

The US oil ports of Houston and Galveston, the world’s largest oil producer, are also on this list of ports at risk from sea level rise, as well as ports in the United Arab Emirates, China, Singapore and the Netherlands.

The latest scientific research published by the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI) shows that sea level rise of 1 meter is now inevitable within the next century and will happen as early as 2070 if ice sheets melt and gas emissions do not decrease.

Sea level rise is the most serious long-term impact of the climate crisis, redrawing the global map with effects on many major cities from New York to Shanghai. Accelerating ice melt and ocean expansion have already doubled the rate of sea level rise in the past 30 years.

The new study was based on data collected since May, where researchers found that 12 of the 15 oil ports with the most tanker traffic are exposed to sea level rise. Maps of sea level rise from Climate Central and GoogleMaps were used to show that a rise of 1 meter would damage piers, oil storage facilities, refineries and other infrastructure.