[curiousdannii]

I think climate change is inevitable. Whether from human causes or from the natural climate cycles we must assume that the sea levels will change, even if only temporarily from a historical perspective. Even if the sea levels only rise 1 metre for 5 years, that is still a big refugee problem.

What is worrying is that those most likely to be affected by rising sea levels are in general those least able to cope with it. We must assume that there will be hundreds of millions of refugees, from Bangladesh, from the tiny Pacific Islands, or even from New Orleans and Venice. Will humanity let them die? If not then those of us living in higher elevations must start planning now for how we will accommodate them.

[abecedarius]

I agree that climate hell appears to have already started. But 500 years is a while, and I'd expect attempts to roll it back starting by 400 years before that time. (Assuming with the author that tech civ continues, etc.) The most plausible reasons against would be conflict or a dominant power that prefers the warmer globe.

[hollerith]

>a dominant power that prefers the warmer globe

The Arctic League!