Scientists have issued a significant warning surrounding the potential collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, as it could have devastating consequences that would cause irreversible damage to the world as we know it.
While climate change is affecting the world in a wide variety of ways, with all being equally terrifying, one of the most dangerous comes in the form of melting ice sheets as they will have a significant knock-on effect.
There has now been a major warning issued regarding one of the largest masses of ice on Earth, as the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could be on the verge of a collapse that would have devastating consequences.
What is causing the ice sheet to melt?
Like all ice sheets across ice, rising temperatures across the globe is the primary reason why so many are progressively melting away and threatening to collapse, and this is a direct result of climate change.
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A new study led by Dr Nerilie Abram has estimated that "rapid change has already been detected across Antarcica's ice, oceans, and ecosystems, and this is set to worsen with every fraction of a degree of global warming," as reported by the Daily Mail.
The release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases cause an increase in global temperatures as they absorb heat radiating from Earth's surface and release it in all directions, causing the planet to slowly but consistently heat up.
While much of global warming is caused by many of the richest individuals and biggest companies, increased energy usage – especially with the rise of artificial intelligence – only continues to threaten the future of our planet.
What will happen if it melts?
Melting and collapsing ice sheets in general generate higher quantities of water in the ocean, which as a result causes global sea levels to rise to potentially catastrophic levels over the coming years.
This puts many of the world's most famous coastal cities under severe risk of going completely underwater, and locations such as Venice, New Orleans, and Miami could be plunged into the sea if things continue as they are.
For the West Antartic Ice Sheet in particular though it would be devastating, as scientists estimate that its collapse would raise sea levels by around 9.8 feet (3 meters) at the worst.
"The loss of Antartic sea ice is another abrupt change that has a whole range of knock-on effects, including making the floating ice shelves around Antarctica more susceptible to wave-driven collapse," explains Dr Abram.
It would almost serve as a chain reaction or domino effect that, while devastating enough on its own, would continue to cause world-threatening damage through increasing sea level.