Climate Change Warning from Greenland

In the past, environmental scientists have analyzed Greenland’s ice sheet to study the effects of climate change. By examining samples of the core from the ice sheet, scientists are able to get a picture of the climate history going as far back as 6,000 to 12,000 years ago. A new study shows what might happen to the sheet should temperatures increase. The data from Greenland’s ice sheet show that during one period in which the Earth’s temperature was two to three degrees higher than today, the ice sheet’s level declined from 150 to 200km, greater than previously thought. Using such data, scientists could extrapolate the likely rise in sea levels and attendant effects. Of note, the recent G-8 meeting in Italy set a target of limiting the Earth’s temperature increases to two degrees. Many analysts believe this is unattainable. However, at least one dissenting voice cautions that using history to predict future outcomes may not give an accurate picture even though he agrees the melting is likely to be greater than originally forecast. In the end, should the Greenland study find broad support in the science community, it would suggest current estimates for the rise in sea levels due to climate change will likely increase. – YaleGlobal