Earth lost more than 12 trillion tons of ice from Greenland and Antarctica in 47 years, satellites show

A major scientific report based on satellite data reveals that Earth has lost more than 12 trillion tons of ice from Greenland and Antarctica over a 47-year period beginning in 1979.

Specifically, approximately 12.5 trillion tons of glacial ice have melted away from the two ice sheets during this timeframe. This massive ice loss is primarily attributed to warmer ocean waters eroding the ice sheets from below and along their sides.