Greenland ice may melt much faster: U.N. scientist - Reuters

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Greenland ice may melt much faster: U.N. scientist

By Gerard Wynn
15 minutes ago

LONDON (Reuters) - New research shows that man-made climate
change could cause the Greenland ice sheet to break up in hundreds,
rather than thousands, of years, the chair of a United Nations panel
of scientists said on Monday.

Its entire collapse would raise sea-levels globally by around 7 meters
(23 feet), they said.

The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published
its five-yearly report earlier this year, and described threats from
global warming including sea-level rise of up to 79 centimeters this
century.

-snip-

But the new research, not considered by the IPCC, could change that
view, according to Bert Metz, a senior IPCC member.

-snip-

The new research shows rapid melting on the surface of the Greenland
ice sheet. Meltwater is disappearing down huge crevasses, and theory
suggests that water will lubricate the bottom of the ice sheet and
speed up its flow into the sea.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070625/sc_nm/climate_sea_dc

[kestrel91316]

1. I happen to think hundreds is too high. I think mere decades......

Why doesn't anybody get the exponential pace of GW developments?

EXPONENTIAL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_function

:scared:

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. My thoughts exactly.

Where so many prognosticators see progressing melt rates based on past trends, other see feedback loops that vastly accelerate the melt rate. I think hoping the Greenland icesheet lasting until the end of the century is being incredibly optimistic.

[Systematic Chaos]

3. At present rates, I think all of it gone in 15 years is about right.

Wouldn't surprise me in the least. :(