Ice mass loss both from Antarctica and Greenland has contributed to about 20% of the present rate of global sea level rise. This ice loss is projected to go higher over the next century.
Scientists warn that if carbon dioxide continues to rise as predicted, it could result to the melting of the East Antarctic ice sheet - considered to be a 'sleeping giant'. This, furthermore, could mean massive sea level rises if it melts.
"Our study shows that this ice sheet becomes unstable and melts if carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reach 600ppm - levels which may be reached by the end of the century if emissions reductions targets agreed to recently in Paris are not met," Tim Naish, director of Victoria University's Antarctic Research Centre in Australia and lead author of the study, said.
"If the East Antarctic ice sheet completely melted, global sea level would rise about 60 metres. It's a sleeping giant," Naish said.
On the other hand, Greenland's snowy surface has been reported to be darker as compared to the past two decades. This means that it is "absorbing more heat from the Sun and increasing snow melt."
A new study using satellite data has led to results stating the probable continuation of the trend. The study has also found that "while soot blowing in from wildfires contributes to the problem, it has not been driving the change."
Times of India reports that the real culprits are "two feedback loops created by the melting itself," with one not visible to the human eye, but still having a profound effect.
"You do not necessarily have to have a 'dirtier' snowpack to make it dark. A snowpack that might look 'clean' to our eyes can be more effective in absorbing solar radiation than a dirty one," Marco Tedesco from Columbia University in US said.
Both ice sheets cover most of Greenland and Antarctica. "Together, the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets contain more than 99 percent of the freshwater ice on Earth," National Snow and Ice Data Center states.
Both these ice sheets also have an influence in weather and climate. The condition of these two ice sheets could have a huge impact to the entire condition of the Earth.
