Amazon fires intensify Andes glacier melt

bbc ^ | 11/28/2019 | victoria gill

[BenLurkin]

The study focused on one specific glacier - Zongo Glacier in Bolivia.

Dr de Magalhães Neto said: "Once deposited on the glacier, the [black carbon darkens] the snow/ice surface, which reduces its ability to reflect solar radiation - or sunlight." That darkened surface then absorbs more of the sun's energy, which amplifies melting.

While the findings were significant, the researchers said they did not come as a huge surprise: the same process has been seen elsewhere in the world.

"Greenland receives large amounts of black carbon from fossil-fuel origin due to North America and European industrialisation," said Dr de Magalhães Neto. "And black carbon from the burning of fossil fuels and biomass throughout the northern hemisphere has accelerated glacier melting in the Arctic."

[jarwulf]

Note, I said ‘rainforests’ not ‘the current Amazon rainforest’. Rainforests have been around and come and gone for a very long time. For example a gigantic one existed across what roughly corresponded to America and Europe and collapsed in the Carboniferous long before the dinosaurs reigned. If we’re going to be pedantic than we should get it right.

[PIF]

If we’re going to be pedantic than we should get it right.

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We should also stick to the place and subject at hand not go wandering off into other places and times.

[jarwulf]

My point was that the Twitterati freaking out and blaming Bolsonaro is that rainforests have been coming and going and burning for millions of years which is absolutely true and relevant to the posted topic.

[Teflonic]

Well well - turns out these fires were started by arsonists selling fire photos to the World Wildlife Federation!