Greenland is losing large areas of ice and becoming greener.. What impact will this have on humanity?

ArabiaWeather - A recent study showed the loss of large areas of ice in Greenland over the past three decades, with the size of this loss amounting to 36 times the area of New York City. These wasted lands provide opportunities for the rapid growth of wetlands and shrubs.

The amount of vegetation in Greenland increased dramatically between the mid-1980s and the mid-2000s. Areas previously covered by ice and snow in Greenland have been transformed into barren rocks, wetlands or shrublands. The area of wetlands quadrupled during that period.

While analyzing satellite images, scientists discovered that Greenland has lost an area of 28,707 square kilometers of ice over the past three decades. They warned of a cascade of impacts that could lead to dire consequences for climate change and sea level rise.

The loss of ice is due to higher air temperatures, which has led to higher land temperatures.

This led to the melting of permafrost, which is the frozen layer just below the Earth's surface, which is found in many areas of the Arctic. This melting releases amounts of carbon dioxide and methane, both of which contribute to the global warming and thus worsen global warming.

Thawing permafrost can also lead to land instability, potentially affecting infrastructure and buildings.

In a press statement, Jonathan Karivik, one of the report's authors, said: “We have observed signs that the loss of ice is triggering other interactions that will result in more ice loss and increased plant growth in Greenland. The melting ice exposes bare rocks that could become home to plants capable of growing.” Adapt to changing conditions, and eventually, these areas may turn into shrub areas.” "At the same time, water from the melting ice moved under the layers of ice and clay, creating swamps and wet areas," Karivik added.

Loss of ice creates what is known as a “feedback loop.”

Normally, snow and ice reflect excess solar energy back into space, keeping Earth's temperatures balanced.

As the amount of ice decreases, bare areas absorb more solar energy, leading to higher temperatures on land, and this may cause more melting, which increases the negative effects.

In addition, melting ice increases the volume of water in lakes, and since water absorbs more heat from snow, this further increases land temperatures.

Greenland's temperature has risen at twice the global average since the 1970s, and the study's authors warn that its temperatures could reach even more extreme levels in the future.

Greenland is the largest island in the world, and the majority of its area is covered by ice and glaciers. About 57 thousand people live in this country, and it enjoys self-rule within the Kingdom of Denmark. The majority of the population are indigenous peoples, many of whom depend on natural ecosystems for survival.

The influx of sediment and nutrients into coastal waters is particularly problematic for indigenous communities and fishermen in other parts of the island, said the report's lead author, Michael Grimes.

“These changes are critical, especially for indigenous people who depend on their traditional subsistence hunting practices to secure their needs from these sensitive ecosystems,” Grimes explained.

He stressed: “In addition, the loss of ice mass in Greenland is contributing significantly to sea level rise, a trend that poses major challenges both now and in the future.”

Source: cnn