Greenland and Iceland saw record heat in May. What does that mean for the planet?
Why hottest May on record for Greenland and Iceland is bad news for the world
- A recent analysis indicates that human-caused climate change amplified Iceland and Greenland’s temperatures during a record-setting May heat wave, raising concerns about the global implications of melting Arctic ice.
- During the heat wave, the Greenland ice sheet melted at an accelerated rate, with some areas in Iceland experiencing temperatures over 10°C (18°F) above average, and setting a May record of 26.6°C (79.9 F) at Egilsstadir Airport.
- Scientists warn that the melting Greenland ice sheet could disrupt global climate and weather patterns by slowing down the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, an ocean current that influences weather in the Northern Hemisphere.
- The May heat wave, which increased the length of the melting season, also threatens Indigenous communities in Greenland due to dangerous travel conditions caused by thawing sea ice, impacting access to hunting locations.
- Amidst discussions about Greenland's future, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has asserted that Greenland will never be a property for sale, emphasizing the importance of addressing climate change and its impacts on the territory.