There is no cost effective method or measure to take that would stop the melting of Greenland’s glaciers in a timely manner. As unfortunate as it is to say, the melting of the world’s ice is a natural phenomena that has merely been accelerated by human influence. In fact, it is almost foolishness to even consider stopping the melt.
From one period of time to another the Earth has gone through change of its water state. At times it is a planet covered in ice and predominantly colder northern temperatures that have limited the animals that live there while at other times it has been covered with liquid water with temperatures so high it could support various forms of cold blooded reptiles to massive sizes. Though not documented, it is certain that both life and environment have varying effects towards the influence of change that controls the planet. It just so happens that our planet’s most recent inhabitants have an influence on both aspects.
Whether for good or ill change is a continuing factor. Through environmental factors like volcanic eruptions the planet can become colder and encourage the production of ice. Through life factors man can alter the environment through deforestation and the burning of ancient and present carbon-based fuels that lead to increases of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere. These gas buildups can offset the balance and accelerate or change the natural process. What changes occur when is an uncertain process.
Back to the melting of the glaciers… what can stop the melting when the planet is coming off a major ice age thousands of years ago, and a minor ice age of only hundreds of years ago? The planet will warm and glaciers will melt as it warms. That is part of the natural cycle. In order to stop this melting and go against the natural – though accelerated – process one would have to suggest change in the opposite manor, thus favoring conditions for ice age or the immediate post-ice environment.
Of course global cooling has always been a possibility, but who would want it? It’s certain that lighter aerosol particles in pollution can cause localized cooling on the surface, but it isn’t a controllable factor nor is it favorable. These particles lead to destruction of crops and cool areas that have no influence on glaciers at all. Other means of prevention merely stalls the human end of the melt, whereas the natural warming will continue with or without man’s influence. Alternative energies are the largest promoters of this.
If truly stopping the melting of the glaciers is the destination, there are always extreme solutions like nuclear winter, but hopefully common sense who rule against that. Like it or not, the melt is a natural situation. For good or ill, that is the way of the planet.
