Fact Check: "Greenland's ice sheet has been losing mass every year for 27 years."
What We Know
The claim that Greenland's ice sheet has been losing mass every year for 27 years is supported by multiple credible sources. According to the US EPA, Greenland has lost an average of about 175 billion metric tons of ice per year since 1992, indicating a consistent trend of mass loss. The cumulative data shows that the overall shrinking of the ice sheets far exceeds seasonal variations, confirming a long-term decline in ice mass.
Furthermore, the NOAA Arctic reports that the Greenland Ice Sheet has experienced net-annual mass loss for 27 consecutive years, specifically noting that this trend has continued every year since 1998. This consistent loss contributes significantly to global sea-level rise, making it a critical indicator of climate change.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust and derived from reputable scientific organizations. The US EPA's data is based on over 20 different studies and provides a comprehensive overview of ice sheet changes since 1992, emphasizing the long-term trend of mass loss (US EPA). The NOAA Arctic report corroborates this by stating that the ice sheet has lost mass every year since 1998, further solidifying the claim (NOAA Arctic).
Additionally, research utilizing satellite observations from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) supports these findings, indicating that Greenland has shed approximately 270 gigatons of ice per year between 2002 and 2023 (NASA SVS). This data aligns with the findings from the US EPA and NOAA, reinforcing the reliability of the claim.
The sources cited are credible and authoritative, coming from government agencies and scientific research institutions. The US EPA and NOAA are both recognized for their rigorous scientific standards and transparency in data collection and analysis. The use of satellite data from NASA further enhances the credibility of the findings, as satellite measurements provide accurate and consistent data over time.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Greenland's ice sheet has been losing mass every year for 27 years is accurate. The evidence from multiple authoritative sources consistently shows that the ice sheet has experienced a net loss of mass annually since 1998, contributing significantly to global sea-level rise. This long-term trend is supported by extensive research and satellite data, confirming the ongoing impacts of climate change on polar ice sheets.
