Short Wave Where are the whales? Scientists find clues thousands of miles away
Apr 17, 2023
Lauren Sommer, NPR's climate reporter known for her deep dives into climate issues, discusses the alarming disappearance of North Atlantic right whales. She reveals surprising links between melting ice in Greenland and the whales' shifting habitats. The conversation uncovers how the accelerated ice loss is affecting ocean currents and, subsequently, marine ecosystems. With only 340 right whales left, Sommer highlights the urgent need for scientific understanding to address these environmental challenges and their ripple effects.
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Greenland Ice Sheet and Whale Deaths
- Lauren Sommer visited Greenland's ice sheet and observed melting ice flowing into moulins.
- 2,000 miles away, North Atlantic right whales are dying in unexpected locations.
Accelerated Ice Melt
- Greenland's ice sheet is melting at an alarming rate, forming rivers and moulins.
- This melting process is accelerating due to rising global temperatures.
Dye Tracing Experiment
- Researchers use dye to track water flow beneath the ice sheet.
- This helps them understand how meltwater affects the ice sheet's movement and melting rate.