Why is a Key Greenland Glacier Growing Again?

Many climate change deniers have been quick to seize on a recent phenomenon: a particular glacier in Greenland seems to be growing. The sight of a growing glacier can be misleading and distracting. This article aims to clarify the true situation, dispelling myths and providing valuable scientific insights.

Misleading Perceptions

One famous glacier in Greenland, Jakobshavn, has garnered significant attention due to a substantial chunk breaking off and floating into the sea. This event caused the glacier to slide past the point where the chunk broke off, giving the impression that the glacier was growing. However, this is a misinterpretation of events. While it is true that the glacier looks larger for a short period, the total mass of the glacier has actually decreased.

Climate change deniers often focus on these misleading before and after pictures, neglecting to mention that the glacier is smaller in total mass. Their agenda-driven portrayals of these images are a form of dishonesty. True scientific understanding requires acknowledging the broader context and long-term trends.

The Growing Glacier and Climate Change

How come you might ask, are some glaciers in Greenland growing while others are receding? The answer lies in the complex interplay of various factors. Climate change has caused a significant increase in protein levels in the local ecosystem, which has provided more nutrients to marine life, including the glacier's surroundings.

However, this should not be interpreted as good news. The glacier Eric Regan mentions is growing, but it is a very small part of the overall ice sheet. The Jakobshavn Glacier, one of the largest and fastest-moving glaciers in Greenland, is now growing after several decades of rapid melting. It's important to view this in the context of a much larger, ongoing trend of ice loss.

Science Behind Glacier Growth

According to a study by the Swiss Re Institute, the Jakobshavn Glacier is growing temporarily despite rapid melting elsewhere. Study authors and outside scientists agree that this is a short-term change that does not represent a reversal of the overall trend.

The glacier reaches into the shallow Atlantic, making it particularly susceptible to changes in ocean currents. Over the past 20 years, the glacier has been melting and receding at a fast rate. However, it has now shown slight growth over the past two years.

It's essential to understand that short-term changes in individual glaciers are not indicative of the broader trend. Just as cold spells in late winter in the US in 2019 do not signify the end of climate change, the growth of a single glacier does not indicate a reversal of ice loss in Greenland.

Long-Term Trend and the Oceans Melting Greenland (OMG) Project

The Oceans Melting Greenland (OMG) project has provided crucial data to support this understanding. Despite the apparent growth of Jakobshavn, the entire Greenland ice sheet is still experiencing significant mass loss.

According to the OMG project, Jakobshavn drains only about 7% of the entire ice sheet. Even if the glacier were growing robustly, the mass loss from the other 93% of the ice sheet would far outweigh any gains. As stated in the project's literature:

“despite the fact that this particular glacier is growing, the whole Greenland ice sheet is still losing lots and lots of ice. Jakobshavn drains only about seven percent of the entire ice sheet, so even if it were growing robustly, mass loss from the rest of the ice sheet would outweigh its slight expansion.”

This emphasis on the broader picture is essential to maintaining accurate and ethical reporting on climate change.

Conclusion

The growth of the Jakobshavn Glacier, while a fascinating development, is not a cause for celebration. It is a short-term anomaly in a long-term trend of ice loss. Understanding and explaining this accurately helps to foster a more informed public and policy discourse about climate change.