A Monolith Breaks

The British Antarctic Survey had warned four years ago about the imminent collapse of this ice-shelf—3,240 sq km in expanse and 200 m deep. But the fact the meltdown happened over just 35 days makes human-induced climatic change a strong suspect. Scientists, however, believe the break-up will not cause any significant increase in sea levels or submerge islands and coasts. Most agree that human activity is altering the planet’s climate.

More frequent and extreme weather events can be expected, including floods, heat waves, windstorms, droughts and disruption in water supplies. Despite warnings, political leaders in the North have stalled attempts to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Ironically, the ice-shelf broke last week even as Canada became the second country after the US to reject the Kyoto Protocol on climate change unless it was granted concessions that the European Community is strongly opposed to. It’s the second highest consumer of fossil energy per capita after the US.