Extreme Glacier Loss in New Zealand Undeniably Linked to Human-Caused Climate Change

Nature Climate Change, August 3

In New Zealand’s Southern Alps, anthropogenic forcing has made extreme loss of glacier ice at least 6 times more likely to occur in 2011 and 10 times in 2018 (>90% confidence). These were two of the highest mass-loss years ever recorded in that region. This increased likelihood is driven by present-day temperatures around 1.0 °C above the pre-industrial average and confirms the connection between human-induced climate warming and the extreme loss of ice. As global temperatures continue rising, there will be an increasingly visible human fingerprint on glaciers around the world.

http://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-0849-2 

Compiled by Amy Imdieke

Pam Pearson

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