Greenland Glaciers Melting Much Faster

grqb writes "NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory says that satellite observations indicate that Greenland's glaciers have been dumping ice into the Atlantic Ocean at a rate that's doubled over the past five years. Greenland Ice Sheet's annual loss has risen from 21.6 cubic miles in 1996 to 36 cubic miles in 2005 and it now contributes about 0.5 millimeters out of 3 millimeters to global sea level increases. One theory as to why this is happening is that the meltwater, caused by increasing temperatures in Greenland, serves as a lubricant for the moving ice, hastening its push to the sea. Another study has estimated that the warming rate in Greenland was 2.2 times faster than the global norm -- which is in line with U.N. climate models."

its not global warming

[Rooked_One]

the 'extremists' in the middle east want to destroy our (the US and Europe's) way of life, so they sent a boatload of people to breathe really heavily on the 'burgs. Since they already live in a desert, the 'global cooling' effect that the melting of the iceburgs will cause will not affect them. BOOYA!

Sue Greenland!

[TheBogie]

This sounds like Greenland's problem, not ours. We need to start litigation to force Greenland to stop this harmful dumping of ice into the ocean.

Re:Sue Greenland!

[Tablizer]

This sounds like Greenland's problem, not ours. We need to start litigation to force Greenland to stop this harmful dumping of ice into the ocean.

The White House has requested your resume and interview schedule from you.
           

Invade them!

[Forrest Kyle]

Let's invade Greenland for insulting our state religion by allowing science to accurately predict events in their country.

Welcome!

[Tablizer]

I for one welcome our new bobbing, shrinking, popsickle overloards!

Re:Sue Greenland!

[biocute]

Litigation takes too long, just attack them. Imagine the amount of ice we can get from them.

If they don't give in, we will just blow their icy country into pieces! Without ice, how can they dump ice into the ocean?

Would someone think of the shivering baby seals?

Re:Yes they will melt and sea levels will rise.

[BaseLineNL]

I think God finally agrees that watercooling is indeed better. Imagine the silence we will have!

Now Denmark got a two front war

[Anonymous Coward]

Muslims hate the Danes, and now they're on George W's radar...

Step 1, Kick Denmark out of NATO.
Step 2, Bomb their shitty country back to the stone age.
Step 3, See if the ice is still melting on Greenland.
Step 4, Ask the world community to join in since it's going shit creek.
Step 5, ???
Step 6, Drill for more oil in Alaska.

Re:Put it in perspective

[ignorant_newbie]

from tfp ( you don't even have to read the article to get it)

at a rate that's doubled over the past five years.

and you respond

assuming the rate is constant. We still have some time.

I know you can't be expected to read the article, but not even the post? I believe this marks a new low for slashdot.

I propose...

[Anonymous Coward]

that we drag these glaciers to the tropics so that we can cool all the global warming with all the ice. Yeah, thanks! Please pass me my glass....

Re:its not global warming

[marafa]

i dont care how silly and untrue that statement is .. you are insulting my race, and culture with a bigotted statement.

thank you for thoughts

whats the problem?

[geoff lane]

A vast new source of fresh water is available.

Fresh water is lighter than sea water.

Hence, all that is needed is a BIG plastic pipe to move all the fresh water south to irrigate the deserts of North Africa (it's downhill all the way :-))

Re:woo

[caffeination]

You missed out those of us who are actually in favor of the acceleration of man's destruction of the environment! If you don't give us our cue, how are we supposed to know when to give our opinions?

Re:There will be plenty of posts talking about...

[iphayd]

As long as we get enough Haliburton Green on Tuesdays, we won't riot too much.

Re:In other news...

[jcuervo]

Come on, now you're just being lazy. Put some effort into it.

"People curious about computers start running Linux. They start writing kernel modules, device drivers, GNU software. They start creating little Lego Mindstorms projects. Eventually, they start overclocking. The effects of overclocking on global warming are rather like the effects of cow methane: if a single cow in Iowa rips one, no matter how bad it smells, it probably won't contribute much to global warming. However, if all the cows on the planet simultaneously fart, we have a problem. In other words, Linux is responsible for global warming. The Film Actor's Guild (F.A.G.) was unavailable for comment at press time, but it is well-documented that Alec Baldwin endorses Linux and encourages members of FAG to use the popular operating system: 'All FAGs should run Linux', he is quoted as saying."

(Sorry, just having a bit of fun. :-))

Re:its not global warming

[Anonymous Coward]

Well odds are he's an American, so why not set fire to the Mexican flag burn down the Canadian embassy? That'll learn 'em to insult you!

Environmental Terrorism!

[SirBruce]

Bush Administration Accuses Greenland of Environmental Terrorism:

http://www.unconfirmedsources.com/?itemid=1516&cat id=9 [unconfirmedsources.com]

Bruce

Not All Glaciers Melting (Good News From Oregon!)

[rewinn]

Are you worried that melting glaciers may raise ocean levels, inundating coastlines and triggering massive damage?

Fear Not! NASA scientists have discovered a glacier that is not only not melting, but actually growing! [nasa.gov]

It is, of course, the glaciation on Mt. St. Helens. It had been blown away a few years ago, but it is now growing back!!!

So Panic Not! All we need to do is detonate a few thousand volcanos in Greenland, Siberia and Antarctica: problem solved!

In other news...

[slashname3]

In other news, suspicions that the giant magnifying glass in orbit is causing the glaciers to melt was dismissed as just being to silly.

Re:Sue Greenland!

[lowrydr310]

Perhaps if all the ice melts, Greenland will be able to justify it's name.

"According to the sagas it was actually Eric the Red who called this country Greenland [greenland-guide.gl]. After he had lived for three years in this region he returned to Iceland, and wanted to convince his fellow countrymen of the fine opportunities for starting a new life here in this 'Green Land'."