Melting glaciers sequences show global warming out of control
September 15th, 2009Photographer James Balog has a great presentation that includes startling image sequences from a network of time-lapse cameras showing glaciers receding at a stunning rate.
Balog very effectively communicates that climate change is already out of control. Even a target of 350 ppm – a much more aggressive target than the 450 ppm accepted by the international community as the goal of global climate negotiations – is ‘way beyond the normal range. Normal peak atmospheric CO2, at the height of interglacials, is only 280 ppm.
The most dramatic sequence shows the huge Illusisat glacier in Greenland, whose melting puts more water into the world’s oceans than all the other glaciers in the Northern hemisphere combined. This glacier has doubled its flow speed in the last 20 years. It’s 14:30 into the presentation. Even if you don’t have time for the whole 19+ minute presentation, don’t miss seeing this segment.