In a debate about the primary cause of rising global sea levels, Expert P emphasizes thermal expansion of seawater as the main contributor, citing data on ocean temperature increases. Expert Q argues that the melting of glaciers and ice sheets is the dominant factor, presenting satellite measurements of ice mass loss.
Which of the following statements would both experts most likely agree upon?
Correct: A
While Experts P and Q disagree on the *primary* cause, they both are discussing 'rising global sea levels' in the context of scientific data (ocean temperature increases, satellite measurements of ice mass loss). The most general point of agreement, given their focus on *rising* sea levels, is that human activities are driving the acceleration of this phenomenon. Both mechanisms they discuss (thermal expansion from warming, and ice melt) are largely attributed to anthropogenic climate change. Therefore, they would likely agree that the rate of sea level rise is accelerating due to human activities (Choice A), even if they differ on the proportional contribution of the individual factors.