By Johannes BirkebaekCOPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Global warming has increased the speed at which glaciers in Greenland are melting by fivefold over the last 20 years, scientists from the University of Copenhagen said on Friday.
Greenland's ice melt is of particular concern, as the ancient ice sheet holds enough water to raise sea levels by at least 20 feet (6 meters) if it were to melt away entirely.
"I believe we can prepare for those glaciers to continue to melt at increasing speeds," Olesen said.
Glaciers in Greenland are often used to anticipate the effects of climate change on Greenland's ice sheet.
The Greenland ice sheet contributed 17.3% of the observed rise in sea level between 2006 and 2018 and glaciers have contributed 21%.
Persons:
Johannes Birkebaek COPENHAGEN, Anders Anker Bjork, Bjork, Jørgen Eivind Olesen, Olesen, William Colgan, Johannes Birkebaek, Barbara Lewis
Organizations:
University of Copenhagen, geosciences, Reuters, European Union, Climate Institute, Aarhus University, Geological Survey
Locations:
Greenland, Denmark