Global Warming Increases Greenland Glacier Melting Speed Fivefold
COPENHAGEN, Nov 10 (Reuters) – Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have reported that global warming has accelerated the melting of glaciers in Greenland by five times over the last 20 years. This alarming increase in the rate of ice melt in Greenland, where the ancient ice sheet holds enough water to raise sea levels by at least 20 feet (6 meters), is of particular concern.
Anders Anker Bjork, assistant professor at the university’s department of geosciences and natural resource management, explained that a study of a thousand glaciers in the area revealed a new phase of rapid melting. Scientists concluded that the glaciers are now decreasing at an average rate of 25 meters annually, compared to 5-6 meters two decades ago.
Bjork emphasized the correlation between global temperatures and the accelerated melting of the glaciers, stating “There is a very clear correlation between the temperature we experience on the planet and the changes we observe in how rapidly the glaciers are melting.”
The findings come at a time when the world has already warmed by nearly 1.2C (2.2F) above pre-industrial temperatures. Scientists from the European Union recently said that 2023 is “virtually certain” to be the warmest year in 125,000 years.
Jørgen Eivind Olesen, Institute Director of the Climate Institute at Aarhus University, stressed that addressing the issue would require a global effort to minimize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
“I believe we can prepare for those glaciers to continue to melt at increasing speeds,” Olesen said.
Additionally, William Colgan, senior researcher at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), pointed out that the accelerated glacier melting can be used to anticipate the effects of climate change on Greenland’s ice sheet. He warned, “If we start to see glaciers losing mass several times faster than in the last century, it can make us expect that the ice sheet will follow the same path just on a slower and longer time scale.”
The Greenland ice sheet has contributed 17.3% of the observed rise in sea level between 2006 and 2018, with glaciers contributing 21%. With approximately 22,000 glaciers in Greenland, the impact of their accelerated melting cannot be understated.
The gravity of the situation underscores the urgent need for global action to combat climate change and mitigate its impacts on the planet.
Reporting by Johannes Birkebaek; editing by Barbara Lewis