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The Melting of Antarctic Glaciers May Affect Global Warming

20.02.2019

The melting of the Antarctic glaciers significantly decelerates the process of global climate change. This was stated by American scientists who have introduced new variables in the climate model.

As soon as the glaciers disappear, and this should happen around 2065, and not in 2053, as it was believed before, there will be a catastrophic atmospheric temperature increase of 2°C on our planet. At the same time, the level of the world ocean by the beginning of the new century may increase by 25 cm more than expected, which in turn may lead to the flooding of islands and coastal countries.

Russian experts are stating that the resulting “delay” has to be used efficiently. This is a great opportunity to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

The Melting of Antarctic Glaciers May Affect Global Warming

Geologists from the University of Arizona noted that the process of glacial melting hinders the process of global climate change, but at the same time it leads to a sea level rise. The researchers created a computer model, according to which the melting of the ice cover will cause warm equatorial currents to go under a layer of fresh water, because of which they will not be able to generate heat into the atmosphere. As a result, a catastrophic temperature increase of 2°C will not occur in 2053, as mentioned earlier, but in 2065. However, due to the rapid melting of glaciers, the sea level, according to scientists, can rise by 25 cm by 2100, which will eventually lead to the flooding of islands and coastal regions.

Bleak Projections

Previously, scientists have stated that the melting of the Antarctic glaciers affects only the sea level, and does not affect the climate of the entire planet. In the latter studies, US researchers shed light on the current climate model, taking into account the rate of melting of Antarctic glaciers.

“The movement of ocean waters carries warm currents from the equator to the poles. Heat is released from the ocean into the atmosphere. Nevertheless, we were able to identify that the excess fresh water from the disappearing glacier would become something of a cover for the surface waters around Antarctica and slow down the heat output.”said the author of the study, Joellen Russell

On the other hand, it was discovered that the melting of the ice cover will affect the process of precipitation. The intensity of tropical rains will significantly increase in the Northern Hemisphere, and not in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Melting of Antarctic Glaciers May Affect Global Warming

At the same time, scientists argue that as a result of the above-mentioned processes, the ocean’s level will increase additionally by 25 cm by 2100. This is quicker in comparison to earlier forecasts. In total, the sea level will rise by 101 cm.

“The movement of ocean waters carries warm currents from the equator to the poles. Heat is released from the ocean into the atmosphere. Nevertheless, we were able to identify that the excess fresh water from the disappearing glacier would become something of a cover for the surface waters around Antarctica and slow down the heat output.”says the co-author of the study, Ben Bronsaler.

A 12-Year Delay

Russian experts believe that the rise in sea level is one of the most confirmed climate signs about the acceleration of global warming processes.

“From the beginning of 1991, according to satellite data, it became known that ocean levels rise by about 3 mm annually. However, this rise is uneven. The maximal rise of the sea levels is registered in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean and the adjoining western part of the Pacific Ocean, as well as in the northern latitudes – in the Arctic.”explains head of the ocean-atmosphere interaction laboratory at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Sergei Gulev

Nevertheless, according to the expert, it is rather difficult to predict the exact indicators of the increase in ocean level, <b>since in developing models, scientists take into account the factor of human activity, the impact of which is difficult to assess in the long term.</b>

“Today’s forecasts of sea level growth over a century-long period are different because when creating models, specialists take into account the factor of human activity. Scenarios are more dependent factors such are the development of the world economy. At the same time, there is no doubt that the sea level will rise at least several tens of centimeters.”emphasizes Gulev

The Melting of Antarctic Glaciers May Affect Global Warming

Gulev added that the consequences of the increase of sea level will be felt, first of all, by the population of the islands and coastal states.  And at the moment, the Singapore government is already alarmed by the rising sea level, which is able to erode their airport, built on a 64 cm high embankment.  Local authorities offer either to secure the coast or build another airport somewhere in a safer place.

“It is important to apply the obtained twelve-year “delay” to its full potential in order to combat large-scale climate change. First of all, we need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This will slow down the rate of melting of the ice caps and protect the islands and coastal countries from flooding.”summed up Gulev