Antarctic melt 'an urgent message'
Australian press and media were reporting concerns that another Antarctic ice shelf could soon collapse sending a strong message to the Federal Government to take urgent action on climate change.A geological study claims the collapse of a huge ice shelf in Antarctica in 2002 has no precedent in the past 11000 years and points the finger at global warming.
Measuring 3250sq km in area and 220m thick the Larsen B ice shelf broke away from the eastern Antarctic Peninsula in 2002 eventually disintegrating into giant icebergs. Experts now believe another ice shelf the size of Tasmania may collapse in the next two years because of global warming.
The CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) estimates temperatures in Australia could be up to two degrees hotter by 2030 and up to six degrees hotter by 2070 Opposition environment spokesman Anthony Albanese said in a statement.