Greenland’s Ice Loss 36 Times the Size of New York City, Study Shows
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is experiencing a significant loss of ice that is 36 times the size of New York City, according to a study published on Tuesday. The study reveals that over the past three decades, Greenland has lost approximately 28,707 square kilometers (11,000 square miles) of ice, leading to the transformation of once icy landscapes into wetlands and shrub areas.
The researchers analyzed satellite imagery to track the changes in vegetation cover in Greenland. They discovered that the amount of vegetation in the country doubled between the mid-1980s and mid-2010s. This growth in vegetation is a result of the melting ice and snow, which has exposed barren rock that is then colonized by tundra and eventually shrubs. Wetlands alone have quadrupled in size during this period.
The main driver behind this ice loss is the increasing air temperatures caused by global warming. As the ice melts, land temperatures rise, leading to the melting of permafrost, a frozen layer just beneath the Earth’s surface. The melting permafrost releases carbon dioxide and methane, greenhouse gases that contribute to further global warming. Moreover, the melting permafrost also causes land instability, posing a threat to infrastructure and buildings.
Jonathan Carrivick, one of the authors of the report, warns of a cascade of impacts resulting from the loss of ice in Greenland. He explains that as ice continues to shrink, bare rock is exposed, which is then colonized by tundra and eventually shrubs. Additionally, water released from melting ice carries sediment and silt, eventually forming wetlands and fenlands.
This loss of ice in Greenland is creating a feedback loop. As snow and ice disappear, areas that were once reflective now absorb more solar energy, leading to further melt and negative impacts. The increase in water from ice melt also contributes to higher land surface temperatures.
Greenland has been warming at twice the global mean rate since the 1970s, and the study’s authors predict that more extreme temperatures are likely in the future. This has significant implications for the indigenous populations of Greenland, who rely on natural ecosystems for their survival. Michael Grimes, the lead author of the report, emphasizes that the changes in sediment and nutrient flow into coastal waters are particularly problematic for indigenous communities that depend on fishing and hunting.
Furthermore, the loss of ice mass in Greenland contributes significantly to global sea level rise. This trend poses challenges not only now but also in the future. The impact on coastal communities and low-lying areas around the world cannot be understated.
The study’s findings highlight the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change and its consequences. As Greenland continues to lose ice at an alarming rate, it is crucial to address the root causes of global warming and work towards sustainable solutions. The fate of Greenland’s ice is not only a concern for its inhabitants but also for the entire planet.