(Substack)—For years, warnings about accelerating sea levels have dominated headlines, fueling calls for sweeping policy changes and massive investments in green energy. But a new peer-reviewed study challenges that narrative head-on, suggesting the rise is far more gradual than previously claimed.
Published in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, the research titled “A Global Perspective on Local Sea Level Changes” by Dutch hydraulic engineer Hessel Voortman and researcher Rob de Vos analyzed data from over 150,000 coastal locations worldwide. Their findings indicate that sea levels are rising at a rate of about 1.5 millimeters per year—translating to roughly six inches over the century—mirroring the pace seen in the previous 100 years. This contradicts projections from complex climate models that have forecasted rises of one to three feet by 2100, often based on limited Antarctic observations and assumptions about ocean responses to warming.
Voortman, who initiated the study after discrepancies arose in his flood-protection work for the Netherlands, expressed surprise at the lack of prior scrutiny.
“It is crazy that it had not been done,” he told journalist Michael Shellenberger. “I started doing this research in 2021 by doing the literature review. ‘Who has done the comparison of the projections with the observations?’ And there were none.”
He went on to detail the effort: “I had to do a lot of programming and automate data imports and data management. I organized it by using databases so that I really knew what I was doing. It was very structured because I was dealing with 150,000 locations and, on average, 100 years of data. That made one and a half million lines of data. I found myself for days working on things that I felt, ‘This is more computer science than civil engineering.'”
The study’s abstract underscores the implications for coastal planning: “On average, the rate of rise projected by the IPCC is biased upward with approximately 2 mm per year in comparison with the observed rate.” In 95% of suitable locations examined, there was no statistically significant acceleration, pointing to local factors like land subsidence or tectonic activity for the anomalies in the remaining 5%. As Voortman noted to Shellenberger, “The average rate of sea level rise in 2020 is (only) around 1.5 mm/year (15 cm per century). This is significantly lower than the 3 to 4 mm/year often reported by climate scientists in scientific literature and the media.”
This comes as a stark contrast to earlier predictions, such as the one from Princeton University’s Michael Oppenheimer in 2019, who forecasted sea levels would rise by more than 34 inches by the end of the century. The Dutch researchers’ work, described as the “first-ever global study of sea level rise,” highlights a gap in validation: until now, few had cross-checked model outputs against real-world tide gauge data spanning a century.
Experts outside the study echo these concerns. Sterling Burnett, director of the Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy at The Heartland Institute, explained, “Overall, this study indicates that in most places, sea levels are not rising unusually quickly. In the relatively few locations where sea levels are rising faster than average, the cause is almost certainly local factors such as land subsidence or ground compaction. Global sea levels are currently rising more slowly than they have for much of the time since the last ice age ended—a period during which seas rose more than 400 feet. Any possible increase in the recent rate of rise compared with the past century is small, within the margin of error, and not outside historical patterns.”
Steve Milloy, a senior fellow at the Energy & Environment Legal Institute, added, “there are a lot of additional factors that can affect tide gauge measurements including geological changes, groundwater withdrawal, and land use. But climate alarmists falsely chalk up all changes to polar ice melting caused by emissions-driven ‘global warming.'”
The timing of this research couldn’t be more relevant, especially as “Climate Week” approaches later this month, where familiar dire warnings are likely to persist despite the evidence. Similar patterns have emerged with other claims: data shows no surge in extreme weather events tied to climate change, and reports of the Great Barrier Reef’s demise have been repeatedly exaggerated.
These overstated threats have driven policies aimed at achieving “net zero” carbon emissions, pushing reliance on intermittent wind and solar power while phasing out fossil fuels. Yet the costs are mounting. In Western Europe, such mandates have stifled economic growth, and in states like New York and New Jersey, energy bills have skyrocketed for consumers. Meanwhile, major emitters like China and India continue expanding coal-fired plants, recognizing the impracticality of abrupt transitions that could hinder development.
Voortman’s motivation stemmed from practical needs: “The construction of coastal infrastructure is costly and it is therefore crucial that sea level information used in design is credible or that possible uncertainties and/or bias are known so that practitioners can appropriately account for them.” By grounding projections in observed data, this study offers a more reliable foundation for decisions that affect billions in infrastructure spending.
As the debate rages on, this research serves as a reminder that not every environmental concern demands panic. Some would even argue that NONE of the concerns are legitimate. With sea levels rising at a predictable, historical rate, the focus should shift to adaptive measures that balance protection with economic reality, rather than chasing apocalyptic scenarios that don’t align with the facts.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
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- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.