Global warming is a present danger we face to our natural world. Among many of the malevolent results of our rising global temperature is glacial melting. For many reasons, glacial melting has a negative impact on society as a whole. It is actually noted that the greenhouse effect is reaching unprecedented processes in the history of Earth. The 20th century has shown annual global ice thickness loss of roughly a few decimeters per year on average. The most realistic scenario to scientists is that deglaciation will occur over the next decade or two, leaving only the highest mountain peaks with some ice.
There are many natural and economic losses incurred due to this, such as rising sea levels and other natural damage caused by the melting. Also, many areas rely on tourism and their mountain ranges for economic stability, and if they lose their skiing resorts and snowy mountain ranges, then monetary and economic downfall will come about as well.
English: A seismic survey on Pine Island Glacier
English: Landsat image of the Pine Island Glacier ...
English: British Antarctic Survey fieldcamp on Pin...(CBSNews)
The majority of mountain ranges on Earth are experience glacial melting. One notable and familiar area to everyone is Antarctica. It had previously been a scientific concern that the ice sheet was shrinking, which could raise the sea level. (CBSNews) To date, 7.5 cubic miles of ice have eroded within the last eight years. (CBSNews) This has served as a warning to scientists who have decided to concentrate on this phenomenon by studying the coming changes that they predict in the South Polar region. Most notably effected is the key area of the sheet, the Pine Island Glacier. This portion has lost a notable 30-36 feet during the last eight years of deglaciation.
Dangerously, if the present change rate continues, the Pine Island Glacier will be undercut by the sea and lifted up within 600 years. This floating...