Statement on Breakaway of Massive Antarctic Ice Shelf, Larsen C

Contact
Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org or 202-670-5585

WASHINGTON, DC - As reported by the New York Times, “A chunk of floating ice that weighs more than a trillion metric tons broke away from the Antarctic Peninsula, producing one of the largest icebergs ever recorded and providing a glimpse of how the Antarctic ice sheet might ultimately start to fall apart.”

 

In Response, Sierra Club Global Climate Policy Director John Coequyt Released the Following Statement:

“This stunning wake-up call serves as a profound warning in the wake of Donald Trump’s irresponsible and historically misguided decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement, as well as his regular attacks on domestic climate and clean energy policies. If we do not transition off of fossil fuels and tackle the climate crisis as quickly as possible, there is an overwhelming consensus that events like this - which risk the collapse of the entire West Antarctic ice sheet - will increase in frequency and could raise seas by more than 12 feet in the long term.

 

“Progress must be made in tackling the climate crisis and, despite Donald Trump’s worst efforts, states and cities across the United States are leading the way forward on climate action and are committed to advancing our progress alongside the nations of the world. It’s clear that we need American leadership from people across the country now more than ever, and we will work alongside states, cities, and corporations to ramp up to 100% clean, renewable energy as quickly as possible.”