Context

More than a third of the vast floating platforms of ice that surrounds Antarctica is at risk of collapse and releasing a huge amount of water into the sea if global temperatures reach 4C above pre-industrial levels.

About

About the Study

• The Researchers said that the limiting the temperature rise to 2C could reduce the risk by half.
• The study suggests that around 34% of the Antarctic ice shelves could be collapsed due to the rise in temperature by 4C.

• The collapse will break the ice shelves and will allow the unimaginable amounts of water from glaciers to pour into the sea.
• The new study uses the latest modelling techniques to provide more precise projections and fill the gap in earlier methods.
• This study also highlighted the importance of limiting the global temperature increases as set out in the Paris Climate Agreement that promotes a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting the global warming to less than 2C above pre-industrial levels.
• With the help of study researchers identified the Larsen C, the largest remaining ice shelf, as at higher risk in a warmer climate situation.
• The other shelves facing the threat includes Shackleton, Pine Island, and Wilkins.