25/04/2005 - A new study
released in the prestigious journal, Science,
claims that glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula
are melting at unprecedented rates.
Antarctica holds massive amounts of water,
which is locked up in snow and ice. However,
dramatic warming threatens this ice and will
contribute substantially to sea level rise.
Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey
(BAS) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have
documented widespread melting across the Antarctic
Peninsula.
The authors have analyzed satellite images
and aerial photographs of the Antarctic Peninsula
glaciers during the last 40 years, and have
been able to calculate the changes in glacier
retreat by measuring mostly the front edge
of glaciers.
Their study shows that of the 244 glaciers
they measured on the Antarctic Peninsula,
87% have retreated during the last 50 years
and that rates are accelerating. In fact,
the authors have documented glacier retreat
rates of 50 meters per year during the last
five years; some of the world’s fastest, documented
glacier retreat.
The authors claim that their study and evidence
of recent ice shelf break-ups suggest that
the Antarctic Peninsula ice sheet is extremely
sensitive to recent warming. They also go
on to warn that continued retreat of glaciers
in this area will contribute to sea level
rise.
To reduce the impacts of global warming and
to protect the glaciers from further melting,
the world needs to reduce its greenhouse gas
emissions dramatically. PowerSwitch! is WWF`s
global campaign aimed at reducing the amount
of CO2 spewed into our atmosphere by the biggest
greenhouse gas polluters - dirty coal-fired
power stations.
With PowerSwitch! WWF is fighting for a switch
from coal to clean and efficient energy.
Source:
Retreating Glacier Fronts on the Antarctic
Peninsula over the Past Half-Century. A. J.
Cook, A. J. Fox, D. G. Vaughan, J. G. Ferrigno.
Science, Vol 308, Issue 5721, 541-544 , 22
April 2005.
