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Thaw in Greenland: causes and consequences

Greenland is characterized, in addition to being the largest island in the world, for having 80% of its surface covered by a sheet of ice. However, it should be noted that the Arctic is currently warming at a higher rate than other parts of the planet; Since 1991, Greenland has seen an increase in air temperature of 7 degrees Fahrenheit.

So that you too can become aware, in the following AgroCorrn article we will tell you everything you need to know about the thaw in Greenland: causes and consequences .

Causes of the thaw in Greenland

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the rapid melting of various glaciers in the world has been taking place, something that is mainly due to human activity. Since the industrial revolution, greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and methane) have risen and, with them, global temperatures (especially at the poles). The global warming has led to increased melting in Greenland, why, now, this island loses more ice each winning the year.

With high summer temperatures, the ice that covers the surface of Greenland melts at different points. The most problematic aspect of this situation is given by the increase in temperatures at a global level , since these imply a greater number of days a year with high temperatures and, therefore, a greater amount of thaw.

The puddles that are formed by the thaw take a few hours to filter to the bottom of the ice sheet through conduits called mills; This reduces the friction of the ice against the ground surface and facilitates its movement. Due to global warming, there are glaciers that in the last decade have doubled their speed of movement.

In this other article you will find everything you need to know about Global Warming: definition, causes and consequences .

Consequences of the thaw in Greenland

Global warming affects every corner of the planet, yet it is causing the most remarkable changes in Arctic ecosystems. Let’s look at some of the consequences of the thaw in Greenland:

  • The water from the melt increases the sea level , as it flows directly into the ocean and, in addition, accelerates the movement of glaciers towards the same end. If all the ice in Greenland were to melt, the sea level would rise globally by about 7 meters. The annual rise in sea level today is half a millimeter, but the change in the rate of thaw would have directly proportional effects on the rate of rise in sea level. There are estimates that defend that by the end of this century the sea level will have increased between 0.6 and 1.8 meters, however, if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase and global warming accelerates, we could be underestimating this increase.
  • Rising sea levels endanger coastal cities and communities. Greenland is the main contributor to sea level rise, which can cause major economic losses in these areas and globally, as well as human displacement (it is estimated that, by the end of the century, almost 200 million people will have been displaced as a result of this problem).
  • The rise in sea level, in turn, forces governments to build infrastructures such as flood walls, as well as to repair those buildings that are damaged by weather events.
  • In addition, the rapid thaw in Greenland also affects ocean currents, as huge amounts of very cold water enter warmer oceans. This results in a change in the circulation of the sea , so that the currents become slower. There has already been a change in the circulation of the Atlantic Ocean that is believed to be associated with this thaw and the collapse of certain fisheries, as we must bear in mind that changes in currents cause changes in the place and time of spawning of fish. certain species of fish.
  • Rising sea levels also increase coastal erosion and the frequency and intensity of coastal storms (such as hurricanes and typhoons), which is due to warming of the air and waters.
  • Finally, the fauna of Greenland is seeing its habitat diminished, which inevitably translates into behavioral changes and a clear loss of biodiversity .

A certain part of the scientific community predicts that, if we do not drastically reduce emissions of these gases, by 2040 the Arctic could be completely ice-free in the summer months.

From AgroCorrn we recommend that you also visit this article on Consequences of the thaw at the poles , since there you will find much more scientific information on this problem.

How to help stop the Great Greenland thaw

Having explained the thawing process in Greenland: causes and consequences, let’s see what can be done to help reverse this situation .

Even by reducing greenhouse gas emissions immediately, Greenland could continue to experience an increase in the thaw rate. However, it could experience a noticeable slowdown, which would be very positive. Scientists emphasize that there is still time to mitigate the effects of global warming and limit the thaw in Greenland.

To reduce these emissions we must reduce the ecological carbon footprint. How can we achieve this? The clearest answer is the following: we can reduce the ecological footprint of carbonate by reducing the use of airplanes as a normal means of transport, as well as by planting trees of species adapted to the environment in question, since they help to absorb the excess carbon dioxide present. in the atmosphere.

On the other hand, communities must be prepared to face the impacts derived from the thaw, so it is essential to have action plans that make use of nature.

If you are also looking for the best Solutions for global warming , be sure to visit this other AgroCorrn article.

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Hello, I am a blogger specialized in environmental, health and scientific dissemination issues in general. The best way to define myself as a blogger is by reading my texts, so I encourage you to do so. Above all, if you are interested in staying up to date and reflecting on these issues, both on a practical and informative level.

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