On Tuesday, enough ice melted in Greenland to cover the state of Florida with 5cm of water. Two days later, another 8.4bn tonnes was lost.
Greenland’s ice cover is melting at an alarming rate this summer, with temperatures reaching a record high of 19.8 degrees Celsius.
The Danish government, which rules Greenland, has been providing updates on the ice’s structure via its Polar Portal Ice Monitoringwebsite.
The amount of water released into the ocean last week was enough to cover the entire US peninsula of Florida in five centimetres (or 2.5 inches) of water, essentially drowning the state.
What’s more, as the outer layers of ice are melted away, darker core ice becomes exposed. Dark coloured ice absorbs heat, unlike white ice that reflects sunlight, and will result in melting that occurs at a significantly faster rate.
This news is a serious indication that we need to drastically reduce or halt all climate-damaging activities, and will no doubt be brought up at theCOP26 summit this November.
Ironically, in 2012, scientists predicted that the ice sheet would ‘melt in spurts’, with drastic losses followed by periods of temperature stability.
Now, they are reporting that recovery windows for icy regions are narrowing – branding this year’s event as a ‘major tipping point’.
100bn tonnes of ice have already been lost since June of this year, altering both sea levels and marine currents that have remained largely unchanged for 12,000 years.
For those living in seaside towns and coastal cities, waiting for change is no longer an option. If human activity continues as normal, such places will find themselves underwater within the next few decades.
As political leaders and global organisations lobby over carbon cuts, individual citizens are focused on how their livelihoods will be affected and are understandably concerned for their own safety.
One such threat is rising sea levels, an increasingly urgent issue that will require the construction of large sea walls in order to protect citizens. These are already in use in places such as Manhattan and Amsterdam – and have proven effective.
We should also expect to see increased investment in stormwater pumps, in response to record flooding in parts of Europe this year. These drainage systems will help ‘vacuum’ water from streets, directing it back to the ocean and preventing surges in rainy months.
On a community level, meanwhile, an unpredictable climate will require us to abandon architecture that favours aesthetics over practicality.
For example, homes which capture wind to create a cooling effect indoors are a key solution for frequent heat waves. Designs must also factor in resilience to storms, with structural reinforcements that strengthen them from the ground up.
In neighbourhoods, fostering the nature we’ve contributed to destroying could be the answer for a safer livelihood.
Planting more trees can provide shade and protection from heat, act as a barrier to strong winds, and work to clear the air of pollution.
Above all, these changes will take time – and money. As we adapt our ways of life, global leaders will have more immediate decisions to make at COP26 in November.
Short term sacrifices to our current lifestyle will need to be made, but these will be vital in ensuring our safety in the long term.
Deputy Editor & Content Partnership ManagerLondon, UK
I’m Jessica (She/Her). I’m the Deputy Editor & Content Partnership Manager at Thred. Originally from the island of Bermuda, I specialise in writing about ocean health and marine conservation, but you can also find me delving into pop culture, health and wellness, plus sustainability in the beauty and fashion industries. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
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