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Global warming: in Greenland, an expedition to document the melting of the ice
In Greenland, the largest fjord in the world serves as a laboratory for observing global warming and rising sea levels. French people are participating in a scientific expedition to document this change as best as possible. – (Franceinfo)
In Greenland, the largest fjord in the world serves as a laboratory for observing global warming and rising sea levels. French people are participating in a scientific expedition to document this change as best as possible.
A vast expanse of water and ice. Scoresby Fjord, in eastern Greenland, is a shadow of its former self. That morning, Éric Maréchal, researcher at the CNRS, advances cautiously, under armed escort, among the tracks left by the bears. With his team, they came to take a very important sample: blood snow, contaminated by red algae which is developing due to warming in the region.
A climate change laboratory
“Algae colors snow and ice. It is estimated that 12% of the annual melting of glaciers is due to the presence of algae”, according to the researcher. In Greenland, warming is four times faster than the rest of the world. So, once a year, this fjord becomes a real laboratory for climate change. On their sailboat, French researchers try to make their way between the icebergs. An expedition far from easy.
