Polar ice melt driven by climate change is affecting Earth's rotation, according to new research. A human-driven change in the Earth's rotation has never been seen before, and may affect computing. DrPixel/Getty ImagesDon't worry — this change in Earth's rotation won't be catastrophic. Denis Tangney Jr./Getty ImagesAs a result, scientists predict that we would need the first-ever negative leap second by 2026. iStock / Getty Images PlusThere are three main mechanisms that control the Earth's spin:One is tidal friction, or the interaction between moving ocean water and the ocean floor, which slows Earth's rotation.

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Persons: Duncan Agnew, what's, Denis Tangney Jr, Felicitas Arias, Judah Levine, Agnew, Andres Forza, you've Organizations: Service, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, International Bureau, Time Department, National Institute of Standards, Technology, Washington Post, Northern, Reuters, CNN Locations: Wellesley , Massachusetts, Needham, Northern Canada, Scandinavia, Argentina