Meaning: The quote you provided is from Nils-Axel Morner, a Swedish geologist and former head of the Paleogeophysics and Geodynamics department at Stockholm University. Morner has been a controversial figure in the field of sea level rise and climate change, as he has been known to challenge the mainstream scientific consensus on these topics.

In the quote, Morner is suggesting that the rate of sea level rise in the late 20th century did not show any signs of acceleration. He specifically references satellite altimetry, a method of measuring the height of the sea surface from space, to support his claim that there were virtually no changes in sea level over the last decade of the 20th century.

It's important to note that Morner's views on sea level rise are not widely accepted within the scientific community. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a leading international body for the assessment of climate change, has stated that sea levels have been rising at an accelerating rate over the past century, primarily due to the thermal expansion of seawater and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.

The IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report, published in 2013, concluded that the average global sea level rose by 0.19 meters between 1901 and 2010, and the rate of sea level rise has been increasing over time. The report also projected that sea levels could rise by an additional 0.26 to 0.82 meters by the end of the 21st century, depending on future greenhouse gas emissions and climate scenarios.

Morner's skepticism about the acceleration of sea level rise has been met with criticism from many scientists who argue that his views are not supported by the comprehensive body of evidence on the topic. They point to numerous studies and observations that have documented the ongoing impact of climate change on sea level rise, including the loss of polar ice, the thermal expansion of seawater, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

In response to Morner's claims, researchers have continued to refine and improve methods for monitoring sea level changes, using a combination of satellite altimetry, tide gauge measurements, and other techniques to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics driving sea level rise.

While it's important to consider a range of perspectives in scientific discourse, it's also crucial to critically evaluate the evidence and methodologies that underpin different viewpoints. In the case of sea level rise, the overwhelming consensus among climate scientists is that the rate of rise has been accelerating and is expected to continue increasing in the future.

In conclusion, Nils-Axel Morner's quote reflects his skepticism about the acceleration of sea level rise in the late 20th century, but his views are not widely supported by the scientific community. The evidence from numerous studies and assessments indicates that sea levels have been rising at an accelerating rate due to the impacts of climate change, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming decades. Ongoing research and monitoring efforts will be crucial for refining our understanding of sea level dynamics and informing adaptation and mitigation strategies to address the impacts of rising sea levels.