Science Quickly Greenland’s Ice Sheet Is at Risk—And So Are We
Jul 25, 2025
Jeff DelViscio, Chief Multimedia Editor at Scientific American, shares his month-long expedition to Greenland's ice sheet. He reveals staggering facts, like the loss of 5.5 trillion tons of ice since 2002, underscoring the urgency of climate change. DelViscio recounts the challenges of scientific exploration in extreme conditions and discusses innovative ice core research that hints at alarming trends. His insights paint a stark picture of the implications for global sea levels, urging immediate action to combat environmental change.
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Greenland Ice Loss Impact
- Greenland's ice sheet has lost 5.5 trillion tons of ice since 2002, contributing massively to sea level rise.
- It contains 24 feet worth of potential global sea level rise locked in its frozen mass.
Brutal First Night on Ice Sheet
- Jeff DelViscio was unprepared for the harsh Greenland ice sheet environment and found his first night extremely cold and painful.
- Experienced team members were crucial for his safety and success in such a brutal environment.
Remote Site Access and Importance
- Reaching the remote Greenland drilling site took a week of travel involving multiple cargo planes and waiting for weather.
- The final site was chosen for its strategic position at an important ice stream draining 12-16% of the ice sheet.