Greenland's glaciers melting at record pace, Europe bracing
Greenland's glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, and scientists warn that this will have consequences in Europe as well. The last decade has seen peak levels of extreme ice melting in Greenland.
Research results published in the "Journal of Climate" by a team from the University of Barcelona highlight dramatic changes related to ice melting in recent decades. These episodes are now twice as frequent as 1950-1990. In the summer of 2012, as much as 672 billion tonnes of ice melted, equivalent to the volume of 244 million Olympic swimming pools. In 2019, 618 billion tonnes melted. For comparison, the average mass of melting ice in the summer period from 1980 to 2010 was about 331 billion tonnes. Experts note that as much as 40 percent of melting episodes in recent decades can be considered extreme, and in the north of the island, this percentage is even 50 percent.
This loss of surface melting ice must be added to the loss resulting from other dynamic processes, such as the calving of glaciers directly into the sea and the flow of glaciers to the ocean. These processes are also accelerated by increased melting – the scientists emphasize.
The ice-melting process is directly related to global warming. Research shows that greenhouse gases are warming the Arctic four times faster than the planet's average.
Scientists note that increased ice melting is linked to extreme temperatures caused by the influx of warmer and humid air masses from northern latitudes. These problems are further exacerbated by the stagnation of air circulation over Greenland in the summer, increased sunshine, and decreased sunlight reflection by snow and ice.
International climate reports predict a significant temperature increase in polar regions, which will accelerate the trend observed in this study – researchers warn.
Glaciers in Greenland are melting. Consequences worldwide
The melting of glaciers in Greenland is a significant factor contributing to rising sea levels and affecting atmospheric circulation patterns, which can impact the climate in Europe.
Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can impact socio-economic situations and natural ecosystems, as well as contribute to an increase in extreme climatic phenomena in neighbouring regions of the North Atlantic – experts state.
This indicates an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change in the coming decades – the scientists conclude.
