Climate Change Gives Greenland a Lift

A recent study conducted by the University of Miami (and supported by the National Science Foundation and NASA), indicates that Greenland's ice is melting so quickly that the land underneath it is rising at an accelerated pace.

The north Atlantic island nation, which features a rocky coast of stunning fjords formed by moving glaciers, and a dense icecap that covers much of country, is literally rising as the ice pressing down the land beneath it continues to melt. According to the study some coastal areas are lifting by nearly one inch per year and if current trends continue, that number could accelerate to as much as two inches per year by 2025.

The idea behind the study is that if Greenland is losing its ice cover, the resulting loss of weight causes the rocky surface beneath to rise, therefore literally giving a boost to the country's elevation.

Melting of Greenland's ice contributes to global sea level rise. Experts say if the acceleration of uplift and the implied acceleration of melting continue, Greenland could soon become the largest contributor to global sea level rise.

Art Installation Draws Attention to Climate Change

A Dutch artists has found a unique way to draw attention to climate change. His recently debuted art installation sits atop a melting iceberg near the town of Uummannaq in western Greenland.

The 45-year old artist, Ap Verheggen, from The Hague, said he had built the swirling metal sculptures, which represent a dog sled, to highlight the impact of a warmer climate on the Inuit people, who struggle to move around on thinning ice. The sculptures are expected to drift southwards on top of the ice and ultimately end up in the ocean as the ice melts.

As climate change means culture change, Verheggen believes that global warming has affected Inuit culture, and melting icebergs threaten its survival.

To raise awareness for their cause globally, the sculptures are fitted with monitors enabling a worldwide audience to follow their journey atop the iceberg. The project can be viewed here.