The village of Inaarsuit is close to climate change, nearer than most in fact. A huge iceberg is looming over the homes of 169 residents. They are not evacuating just yet, even though four people died when an earthquake-generated tsunami swamped another small settlement. However, some have moved inland.
The Huge Iceberg Could Break Apart, Experts Warn
Icebergs calve when they approach relatively warmer climates. Their surfaces melt into ponds, and these can trickle thorough cracks and widen them. Eventually the laws of physics cause the outer parts to break away and crash into the water.
The Inaarsuit residents say they have never seen such a huge iceberg before. It is literally looming over their homes after it grounded in shallow water. “There are cracks and holes that make us fear it can calve any time,” village council member Susanne Eliassen told the local newspaper Sermitsiaq.
Scientists Warn of More Extreme Iceberg Events
Some experts warn of these extreme iceberg events becoming more frequent because of climate change . A large chunk breaking away could cause a tsunami event that could inundate Inaarsuit according to the BBC.
So what does this huge iceberg mean for you and me in the comfort of our homes? Could it suggest our ‘carbon chickens’ are coming home to roast after decades of reckless living? While Alaska may have similar problems, the heartland of America will face rising sea levels, and increasingly extreme climate events.
It is not too late to turn the tide, if we act now. We may not see the benefits in our lifetimes, but we still have an opportunity to preserve our environment. Therefore we invite you to join this cause. We owe it to humanity, and for those amazing people who will carry our torch forward if we allow.
Related:
Record High Temperatures Around the World
Climate Change and the Harsh Consequences
Preview Image: Greenland Icebergs Offshore
