Incredible new photo paints a vivid picture of climate change

A recent photo of sled dogs trekking through melted sea ice is being regarded as an impactful symbol of changing climate conditions.

Danish climatologist Steffen M. Olsen captured the image on the afternoon of June 13, in the middle of Inglefield Bredning in Greenland. As this is an unusual terrain for sled dogs, the capture is an indication of the accelerated warming in the Arctic regions and the risks they present to our current way of life.

Olsen shared on Twitter that the ice in this location is around 1.2 metres thick, and there is 870 metres of water below them. These conditions are presenting difficulties and dangers for hunters, dogs, and onsite teams.

@SteffenMalskaer got the difficult task of retrieving our oceanographic moorings and weather station on sea ice in North West Greenland this year. Rapid melt and sea ice with low permeability and few cracks leaves the melt water on top. pic.twitter.com/ytlBDTrVeD

— Rasmus Tonboe (@RasmusTonboe) June 14, 2019

The early, accelerated melting season is being caused by uncharacteristically high temperatures, with Greenland peaking at 40 degrees above normal last week.

Remarkable. European weather model showed temperature over parts of Greenland peaked at 40 DEGREES above normal Wednesday.

Melting observed on 45% of Greenland ice sheet that day, likely a record so early in season.

More info on craziness in the Arctic: https://t.co/dQtwsjEURE pic.twitter.com/iZLziUGs1N

— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) June 14, 2019

Audiences have reacted to the impactful image and are expressing their concerns for our planet.

Dangerous work for humans and dogs. Soon you will need jet skis for this job.

— Nancy (@NancyClimate) June 14, 2019

Incredibly beautiful but alarming photo.

— ScottishWolf (@scottishwolfie) June 18, 2019

One of the most impactful climate change images I’ve seen in a long time. It’s genuinely becoming a different planet. Breaks my heart.

— Mauricio Bermudez (@Dr_Bermudez) June 16, 2019

This truly shows what is the impact of climate change to nature. This is our only home 🌍

— Tautvydas (@Tautvydas_M) June 18, 2019