Several climate studies that were recently published paint a grim future for our planet.
According to a study written by researchers from the University of California the ice sheets of Antarctica are melting at an accelerated rate. The amount of ice that is now melting in one year is up to 6 times bigger in comparison to the one that was melting in the 1980’s. Official numbers correlate to 278 billion tons of ice per year since 2009 in comparison to approximately 44 billion in 1980.
The speed at which ice melts has also increased considerably, up by 15% percent in comparison to the previous year. Another alarm is triggered by the fact that the ice found in East Antarctica, which remained untouched until now, has also started to melt and 56 billion tons were lost in one year.
East Antarctica holds more ice than West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula combined. The main agent that has led to the melting of ice is the warm and salty water that surrounds the edge of the ice shelves.
The new discovery has raised the bar when it comes to the rise of the sea level in our century and the ones that will come after. Oceans are harder to warm in comparison to other environments but once the heat has been absorbed it will be contained for a long while, further exacerbating the global warming issues.
Some researchers are already preparing for severe consequences since 2018 was the warmest years for the oceans. Massive hurricanes, the rise of the seal level and the death of ecosystems that provide food for many people around the world will take place in the future.
While serious issues are already happening humanity has a chance to prevent more damage in the future by reducing pollution and implementing global policies that should be respected by all nations.
It remains to be seen if the Paris Accords will make a difference.
