Consequences include impacts on internet traffic, financial transactions, GPS navigation, climate modeling and understanding Earth's geological history.
Earth's rotation is slowing down at an accelerated rate due to melting polar ice caps caused by human-induced climate change.
Melting ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica cause a redistribution of water mass on Earth, making it more oblate and slower in rotation.
The Earth's rotation is currently adding approximately 1.3 milliseconds per century due to melting ice caps, projected to increase to 2.6 milliseconds per century by the end of this century.
In a series of recent studies, scientists have discovered that the Earth's rotation is slowing down at an accelerated rate due to melting polar ice caps caused by human-induced climate change. This phenomenon, which has been previously attributed to the moon's gravitational forces, is now becoming a dominant factor in determining the length of a day.
The melting of ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica is causing a redistribution of water mass on Earth. As more water moves towards the equator, it causes the planet to become more oblate (flattened at the poles), which in turn slows down its rotation. This effect has been observed for centuries, but human activities have significantly accelerated this process.
According to research conducted by scientists from ETH Zurich and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Earth's rotation is currently adding approximately 1.3 milliseconds per century due to melting ice caps. This rate is projected to increase to 2.6 milliseconds per century by the end of this century if greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current rate.
The consequences of this change in Earth's rotation could be far-reaching, affecting various aspects of modern life such as internet traffic, financial transactions, and GPS navigation that rely on precise timekeeping. Additionally, it may also have implications for climate modeling and understanding the Earth's geological history.
It is important to note that this discovery should not be taken lightly. The melting of polar ice caps is a clear sign of the significant impact humans are having on our planet through their greenhouse gas emissions. It underscores the urgent need for collective action to reduce carbon emissions and transition towards renewable energy sources.
Climate change is causing polar ice to melt and water to flow into the equatorial regions.
Melting polar ice due to climate change is redistributing Earth’s mass, slowing its rotation and extending the day.
The Earth’s axis of rotation is shifting as a result of mass redistribution caused by melting ice and internal Earth processes.
Accuracy
Human-caused climate change is having a greater impact on the Earth than previously thought.
The melting of polar ice causes Earth to rotate slower as the water moves from the poles towards the equator
Climate change accounts for 90 percent of variations between years and decades in Earth’s polar motion
Deception
(50%)
The article makes several assertions that imply human influence on Earth's rotational dynamics without providing clear evidence or linking to peer-reviewed studies. The author uses emotional language and manipulation by stating 'This indicates a greater human influence on Earth’s rotational dynamics than previously recognized.' and 'We humans have a greater impact on our planet than we realize, and this naturally places great responsibility on us for the future of our planet.' These statements are not backed up with facts or studies.
This indicates a greater human influence on Earth’s rotational dynamics than previously recognized.
We humans have a greater impact on our planet than we realize, and this naturally places great responsibility on us for the future of our planet.
The climate crisis is causing the length of each day to get longer due to melting polar ice.
, Melting Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are redistributing water, making the Earth more oblate and slowing its rotation.
Human carbon emissions have caused this change in just 100 or 200 years.
Melting ice is causing a present-day rate of change at approximately 1.3 milliseconds per century, projected to increase to 2.6 milliseconds per century by 2100.
Accuracy
Melting polar ice due to climate change is redistributing Earth's mass, slowing its rotation and extending the day.
Melting ice caps are causing the Earth to become fatter in the middle, slowing its rotation.
Climate change is now a bigger influence on time than previously thought, outpacing the moon's role in increasing day length.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The author makes several scientific statements in the article that are not fallacious. However, there is an instance of an appeal to authority when Professor Benedikt Soja states 'We can see our impact as humans on the whole Earth system, not just locally, like the rise in temperature, but really fundamentally, altering how it moves in space and rotates.' While this statement is true based on the research presented in the article, it does not need to be stated with such authority. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when stating 'This story was originally published by the Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. The climate crisis is causing the length of each day to get longer, analysis shows, as the mass melting of polar ice reshapes the planet.' While this statement may be factually correct, it creates a sense of urgency and fear that may not be warranted based on the information presented in the article.
]We can see our impact as humans on the whole Earth system, not just locally, like the rise in temperature, but really fundamentally, altering how it moves in space and rotates.[
The climate crisis is causing the length of each day to get longer,
New research shows that human-caused climate change is affecting Earth’s rotation and increasing the length of each day.
Polar ice melt caused by global warming is changing the speed of Earth’s rotation, with a trend set to accelerate over this century.
Climate change is now a bigger influence on time than previously thought, outpacing the moon’s role in increasing day length.
Accuracy
Melting polar ice due to global warming is changing the speed of Earth’s rotation, with a trend set to accelerate over this century.
Deception
(50%)
The article is highly deceptive in its framing of the impact of climate change on time. While it is true that the article reports new research findings on how polar ice melt caused by global warming is changing the speed of Earth's rotation and increasing the length of each day, it does not disclose that these changes are minuscule and have no significant impact on our daily lives. The author sensationalizes these findings by implying a dramatic and immediate impact on our high-tech, hyperconnected world without providing specific examples of how this impacts computing systems we rely on. Furthermore, the article implies a direct correlation between climate change and an increase in earthquakes without disclosing that this connection remains speculative and requires more research.
CNN — The impacts of human-caused climate change are so overwhelming they’re actually messing with time, according to new research.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(95%)
The author expresses a clear bias towards the idea that human-caused climate change is having a significant impact on the Earth's rotation and day length. She uses language such as 'overwhelming', 'huge impact', and 'gravity of ongoing climate change' to depict climate change in an extreme manner. The author also quotes scientists who express similar views, further reinforcing this bias.
Climate change could become the new dominant factor, outpacing the moon’s role.
It’s yet another sign of the huge impact humans are having on the planet.
The impacts of human-caused climate change are so overwhelming they’re actually messing with time, according to new research.
Human-driven warming is accelerating the melting of Earth’s ice sheets
Earth’s rotation has been slowing down due to moon’s gravitational forces around 2.40 milliseconds per century, but human impact is becoming a dominant factor
Accuracy
Melting polar ice due to climate change is redistributing Earth’s mass, slowing its rotation and extending the day.
Climate change accounts for 90 percent of variations between years and decades in Earth’s polar motion
