ISLAMABAD: Greenland’s ice sheet melted 17 times faster than the average rate during a record-breaking heatwave in May, scientists reported on Wednesday.
The extreme warmth also affected Iceland, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels for that time of year.
The World Weather Attribution (WWA) scientific network confirmed the Arctic is heating at four times the global rate since 1979, placing the region at the frontline of climate change.
Heatwave Impact and Scientific Findings
Friederike Otto, associate professor of climate science at Imperial College London and co-author of the WWA report, emphasized that without climate change this accelerated melt would have been impossible.
The faster melting means Greenland’s contribution to rising sea levels is significantly higher due to the heatwave’s intensity.
In Iceland, temperatures reached over 26 degrees Celsius (79 Fahrenheit) on May 15, breaking records by more than 13 degrees Celsius compared to the 1991-2020 average May highs.
Almost 94 percent of Iceland’s weather stations reported record temperatures, highlighting the widespread nature of the heat event.
Broader Effects on Communities and Infrastructure
The heatwave’s effects extend beyond melting ice. Indigenous communities in Greenland face challenges as the warmer climate disrupts their traditional hunting on ice, threatening their livelihoods and culture.
Additionally, infrastructure in Greenland and Iceland—designed for cold weather—is at risk, with melting ice leading to flooding and damage to roads and buildings.
Scientists warn that such extreme heatwaves, though rare now, could become a regular occurrence every 100 years if current warming trends continue.
This stark evidence underscores the urgent need to address global warming, especially in vulnerable polar regions.
