Episode 372

Part of the world’s widest glacier is about to collapse and could trigger a 3 metre rise in sea levels, threatening coastal cities around the world. 

Thwaites is a massive glacier in Antarctica - the size of Florida. A key part of the glacier could break away any day now - an ice shelf that helps protect the main glacier from warm ocean water.

Scientists are shocked by the speed at which these changes have happened. Is there anything we can do to stop it?

To discuss the news, Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by New Scientist’s Alison George - former British Antarctic Survey scientist.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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