Scientists didn't think Greenland's ice sheet would be melting at this rate until 2070. (And, they said this would be the worst-case scenario for 2070.) Fifty-five billion tons, lost over five days in July and August. Hottest month on record? To add to that, unprecedented wildfires burned through Greenland, Siberia, and Alaska, helping melt the glaciers.
I have not heard if some of the water is expected to freeze again, making this not a permanent loss.
But, to those of us watching climate change, this is a noteworthy event.
The hottest month recorded, July was. Seasonal ice melted perhaps quicker than any other year in modern history in Alaska. The arctic and antarctic ice levels reached record lows.
On the flip side, in early June a news story reported Glacier National Park was removing its, Gone by 2020 signs. During the Obama Administration, signs were posted saying the parks glaciers would be gone by 2020. But, some appeared to even be growing and it was no longer evident they were about to disappear.
No word yet on how July's record heat affected Glacier National Park, so we must but wonder. It would seem it perhaps didn't have much effect, or there would be news stories.
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