In the News: Huge Piece of Arctic Ice Shelf Breaks Off

A 19-square-mile ice shelf in Canada’s Arctic region has broken away while remaining shelves have shrunk at what scientists are calling a “disturbing” rate. The separation of the Markham Ice Shelf – one of just five ice shelves in the region – from Ellesmere Island is being blamed on accelerating climate change in the Arctic. Studies show that temperatures in the Arctic have risen faster than the global average in recent decades and threaten the remaining ice shelves. Two large chunks of ice totaling 47 square miles have also recently broken off from the nearby Serson Ice Shelf, reducing its size by 60 percent.

To view the entire CQ Global Researcher Online report, "Race for the Artic" click here. [subscription required]