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The importance of global ice melt
The Earth’s ice is melting at a record rate.
Research Conducted by The University of Leeds and Edinburgh, along with EarthWave and Mullard Space Science Laboratory found alarming ice loss, using satellite observation as well as numerical modelling to measure the changing mass of all ice sheets, shelves and glaciers throughout the world.
The amount of ice lost amounts to 28 trillion tonnes
The data shows that the overall rate of ice loss has increased by 57% over the past 24 years compared to the 1990s and the total amount lost between the years 1994 and 2017 is 28 trillion tonnes. Group member Tom Slater from Leeds University puts this into perspective: “To put the losses we’ve already experienced into context, 28 trillion tonnes of ice would cover the entire surface of the UK with a sheet of frozen water that is 100 metres thick”.
The findings show that ice is melting at a rate far higher than The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s global climate predictions, which had expected a much slower decline. The actual rate matches the worst-case projections. The startling research has thrown into question current climate goals. This is just one of many studies that have shown that the IPCC’s projections are too optimistic and that the effects of climate change are happening at a faster rate than the world is prepared for.
Research Conducted by The University of Leeds and Edinburgh, along with EarthWave and Mullard Space Science Laboratory found alarming ice loss, using satellite observation as well as numerical modelling to measure the changing mass of all ice sheets, shelves and glaciers throughout the world.
The amount of ice lost amounts to 28 trillion tonnes
The data shows that the overall rate of ice loss has increased by 57% over the past 24 years compared to the 1990s and the total amount lost between the years 1994 and 2017 is 28 trillion tonnes. Group member Tom Slater from Leeds University puts this into perspective: “To put the losses we’ve already experienced into context, 28 trillion tonnes of ice would cover the entire surface of the UK with a sheet of frozen water that is 100 metres thick”.
The findings show that ice is melting at a rate far higher than The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s global climate predictions, which had expected a much slower decline. The actual rate matches the worst-case projections. The startling research has thrown into question current climate goals. This is just one of many studies that have shown that the IPCC’s projections are too optimistic and that the effects of climate change are happening at a faster rate than the world is prepared for.
What are the causes of global ice melting?
The report which has been published in The Cryosphere has cited two causes of ice loss - rising temperatures in the atmosphere as well as the ocean. According to data published by NASA, nineteen of the warmest years have occurred since the year 2000. Increasing temperatures across the world have reached even the coldest regions of the north and south poles, warming ice to temperatures above 0°C where it begins to melt. In 2020, a record high temperature of 18.3°C was recorded in Antarctica.
The findings conclude ‘there can be little doubt that the vast majority of Earth's ice loss is a direct consequence of climate warming’. The effects of global warming have been long been linked to rising carbon emissions.
What effect will these changes have?
The consequences of these changes are troubling for the environment. The effects sea level rising are explained by the National Geographic as ‘destructive erosion, wetland flooding, aquifer and agricultural soil contamination with salt, and lost habitat for fish, birds, and plants’.
The IPCC was created ‘to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications and potential future risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation options.’ The study will no doubt be a key influence in reminding these policymakers of the urgency of the climate emergency and influencing future projections which will in turn help to create updated plans of action in terms of goals for reducing emissions to bring the rising global temperatures down in line with this new data.
The report which has been published in The Cryosphere has cited two causes of ice loss - rising temperatures in the atmosphere as well as the ocean. According to data published by NASA, nineteen of the warmest years have occurred since the year 2000. Increasing temperatures across the world have reached even the coldest regions of the north and south poles, warming ice to temperatures above 0°C where it begins to melt. In 2020, a record high temperature of 18.3°C was recorded in Antarctica.
The findings conclude ‘there can be little doubt that the vast majority of Earth's ice loss is a direct consequence of climate warming’. The effects of global warming have been long been linked to rising carbon emissions.
What effect will these changes have?
The consequences of these changes are troubling for the environment. The effects sea level rising are explained by the National Geographic as ‘destructive erosion, wetland flooding, aquifer and agricultural soil contamination with salt, and lost habitat for fish, birds, and plants’.
The IPCC was created ‘to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications and potential future risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation options.’ The study will no doubt be a key influence in reminding these policymakers of the urgency of the climate emergency and influencing future projections which will in turn help to create updated plans of action in terms of goals for reducing emissions to bring the rising global temperatures down in line with this new data.
