this post was submitted on 27 Mar 2024
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New Zealand's glaciers shrinking faster, scientist warns (phys.org)
submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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We flew to the southern-most glaciers, ones that we've not seen since 2018," said Lorrey on the back of this year's trip.

"One is now two thirds of the size it was on our last visit," he added.

The institute said that New Zealand had experienced seven of its hottest years on record over the past decade.

Even if this trend was to be reversed, Lorrey said that many glaciers were too far gone to be saved.

"Even if we got a few cooler seasons, they wouldn't be enough to undo the damage that's already been done," he said.

"That's how stark it is, and it's not just happening in New Zealand but all over the world."

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago (5 children)

At this rate, I do wonder what will happen in the near to mid future (within most of our lifetimes), say 20~50 years time.

Will things just continue to accelerate and the world as we know it around us completely changes? Or will there be something that truly drives a reversal ( say a breakthrough technology or a complete 180 in thinking/policies around the world)? Or will climate change happen at a rate that allows us to adapt to it as it changes.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago

On my more optimistic days I see a future where plentiful, cheap energy (ie fusion) can drive technology that will halt, perhaps even reverse the damage we've done. And perhaps that's even compatible with capitalism, as there are potential profits to be made.

More often though I see a difficult, painful future for the human species, with massive famines, human displacement and wars over the resources that remain. I hope I'm wrong.

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