Greenland, known for its vast ice sheets and frigid landscapes, is becoming "greener", according to a study published on Tuesday.

Greenland, historically renowned for its icy landscapes, is currently undergoing a remarkable transformation attributed to climate change. Recent findings from a study shed light on the rapid melting of Greenland's ice sheet, leading to a resurgence of vegetation reminiscent of the region's greener past, reminiscent of the era of the Vikings.

The study, based on satellite imagery analysis, reveals that Greenland has witnessed a doubling of vegetation between the mid-1980s and mid-2010s. This surge in greenery corresponds to the retreat of ice and snow across swathes of the country, with once-frozen expanses giving way to barren rock, wetlands, or areas covered by shrubs.

The research estimates that over the past three decades, approximately 28,707 square kilometers of Greenland's ice and glaciers have melted, accounting for about 1.6% of its total ice and glacier coverage. This rapid melting of ice poses dire consequences for climate change and sea level rise.

Incredibly, wetlands alone have quadrupled in size over the same period, indicating profound changes in Greenland's ecosystem.

One of the authors of the report, Jonathan Carrivick, notes the emergence of a concerning feedback loop. As ice disappears, previously reflective surfaces give way to darker, heat-absorbing terrain, exacerbating warming trends and further accelerating ice melt. Additionally, the thawing of permafrost, a frozen layer beneath the Earth's surface, releases potent greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, further amplifying global warming.

The repercussions of Greenland's changing landscape extend beyond environmental concerns. Michael Grimes, the lead author of the study, emphasizes the impact on indigenous communities, particularly those reliant on coastal ecosystems for fishing. The influx of sediments and nutrients into coastal waters disrupts marine habitats and poses challenges to traditional subsistence practices.

Moreover, the loss of ice mass in Greenland significantly contributes to rising sea levels, a trend with far-reaching implications for coastal communities worldwide.

As Greenland continues to warm at a rate twice the global average since the 1970s, the study's authors stress the urgent need for climate action. With temperatures projected to rise further in the future, the fate of Greenland's fragile ecosystems and the livelihoods of its inhabitants hang in the balance.