Where do we go when the seas rise? - BBC World Service
BBC World Service・27 minutes read
Greenland's significant ice melt is contributing to sea level rise, with projections indicating at least 27 centimeters added regardless of emissions. Climate change impacts in Ladakh include rapid glacier melt, leading to water scarcity, prompting local adaptation efforts like artificial glaciers.
Insights
- Greenland's significant ice melt is contributing to rising sea levels, with a minimum projected increase of 27 centimeters regardless of emission scenarios, highlighting the urgent need to address this environmental crisis.
- Professor Mohammad Din's work in Ladakh showcases the impact of changing temperatures on crop variety, emphasizing the importance of local adaptation strategies like cultivating new fruits and implementing sustainable development projects such as solar power plants to combat the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities.
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Recent questions
How is Greenland contributing to sea level rise?
Greenland's significant ice melt will contribute at least 27 centimeters to sea level rise, regardless of emission scenarios. The warming water expands, further adding to the rise. Icebergs are melting rapidly, posing concerns for future generations. Potential sea level rise by 2030 could reach a point of no return, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue.
What are the impacts of Greenland ice melt on Asia?
Greenland ice melt will impact Asia, particularly Chinese seaports and India. The melting ice sheets contribute to rising sea levels, which can affect coastal regions and low-lying areas in Asia. Understanding these impacts is crucial for implementing adaptation strategies and mitigating the consequences of sea level rise on vulnerable populations in the region.
How is Ladakh adapting to climate change?
Ladakh is adapting to climate change by focusing on sustainable development and health hygiene. The region has seen an increase in crop variety, including apples, cherries, and strawberries, due to changing temperatures. Development projects such as solar power plants aim to transition towards clean energy sources. Local researchers and engineers are experimenting with resource-efficient building techniques to mitigate the impacts of climate change on water scarcity and glacier melt in Ladakh.
What are the challenges faced by sheep farmers in Greenland?
Sheep farmers in Greenland are facing challenges due to climate change, including droughts affecting grass growth. This has led to the need to import hay and water from Denmark to sustain their livestock. The shift in weather patterns, with warmer temperatures and a lack of frozen fjords, has impacted transportation and daily life for locals, highlighting the need for sustainable practices and adaptation strategies in the face of climate change.
How can individuals mitigate the effects of climate change and sea level rise?
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to mitigating the effects of climate change and sea level rise. Individuals can contribute by adopting sustainable practices such as reducing energy consumption, using public transportation, and supporting renewable energy sources. Awareness, advocacy, and collective action are essential in addressing the global challenge of climate change and its impacts on the environment and communities worldwide.
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Summary
00:00
Greenland's Ice Melt and Rising Seas
- Greenland is experiencing significant ice melt, leading to sea level rise.
- Regardless of emission scenarios, Greenland will contribute at least 27 centimeters to sea level rise.
- The warming water expands, contributing significantly to sea level rise.
- Icebergs are melting rapidly, causing concern for future generations.
- Potential sea level rise by 2030 could be a point of no return.
- Greenland ice sheet, along with Antarctica and glaciers, are melting rapidly.
- Complete melting of all ice sheets could lead to 70 meters of sea level rise over 1,000 years.
- Sea level rise is not uniform globally due to gravitational attraction from ice sheets.
- Greenland ice melt will impact Asia, particularly Chinese seaports and India.
- Living on artificial islands, like Santa Cruz del Islote, may be a solution for rising sea levels.
15:04
Ladakh's Changing Climate and Crop Diversity
- Professor Mohammad Din highlights the increased crop variety in Ladakh due to changing temperatures.
- Din's organization in Ladakh focuses on climate change, sustainable development, and health hygiene.
- Ladakh now cultivates apples, cherries, and strawberries, previously not grown there.
- Winters in Ladakh have become milder, extending the working season.
- Development projects in Ladakh include solar power plants, aiming to become a clean energy source.
- Local researchers and engineers in Ladakh experiment with resource-efficient building techniques.
- Climate change is causing glaciers in Ladakh to melt rapidly, leading to water scarcity.
- Melting glaciers threaten irrigation for crops and drinking water in Ladakh.
- Local communities in Ladakh are conserving water by creating artificial glaciers.
- A map by Professor Matt Fitzpatrick suggests moving towards cooler climates like Canada due to climate change.
30:30
Greenland's Climate Change Impacts and Adaptations
- Greenland's ice is melting, leading to post-glacial rebound where the land rises due to the absence of ice. This phenomenon exposes more land for various uses like farming and mining.
- Changes in Greenland's climate have led to a decrease in frozen harbors, allowing ships to access remote communities year-round, impacting local livelihoods.
- Sheep farmers in Greenland are facing challenges due to climate change, including droughts affecting grass growth, leading to the need to import hay and water from Denmark.
- Climate change in Greenland has caused a shift in weather patterns, with warmer temperatures leading to a lack of frozen fjords, impacting transportation and daily life for locals. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to mitigating the effects of climate change and sea level rise.
