Scientific Data Study: Greenland and Antarctica Lost 12.5 Trillion Tons of Ice Since 1979

Research featured in Scientific Data reveals that since 1979, Greenland and Antarctica have experienced a loss of roughly 12.5 trillion tons of ice. This investigation, spearheaded by ice scientist Inès Otosaka from Northumbria University in England, highlights that significant melting occurs where glaciers interface with the ocean, primarily due to warming waters eroding ice from beneath and glaciers calving into the sea. This reduction in land ice contributes to rising sea levels, threatening coastal areas globally. Otosaka observes a consistent increase in ice mass loss each decade, particularly in ice entering the ocean, attributing this trend to climate change. The study indicates stable ice loss during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, followed by a notable rise in the early 2000s and throughout the 2010s. Co-author Andrew Shepherd warns that the ice sheets' reaction to climate change may unfold over decades, suggesting ongoing impacts even if global warming ceases. Each third of an inch of sea-level rise could expose an additional 2 million to 3 million individuals to annual flooding. Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions could help limit further warming and lessen long-term ice loss and sea-level rise, providing essential insights for coastal communities.