Greenland glaciers and the 'greenhouse effect'

Abstract

Glacier studies have been made in Greenland since the 1970s to plan hydro-electric power. However, there is also public concern about the extra melting from the Greenland ice sheet and local glaciers that may occur under a warmer climate due to the 'greenhouse effect' (Fenger & Laut, 1989). The increase in melting will cause a rapid retreat of glaciers over the next 100 years and could give serious problems for large hydro-electric power stations. More seriously, glacier retreat in Greenland will also cause a rise in world sea level. Greenland is therefore a possible hazard to all low-lying land, including Denmark.