PUBLISHED: 25 Mar 2025 at 05: 04
An educational warned on Monday that rising sea levels are causing the world’s largest ice to melt quickly, which would in turn lead to a faster-than-expected global temperature rise, which would lead to the accelerating disappearance of Thailand’s beach over the next 25 years.
The ice dubbed A23a, which has an area of about 3,500 square kilometers, or more than twice the size of Greater Bangkok, has reportedly sprang aground off South Georgia Island close to Antarctica, according to Sonthi Kotchawat, an analyst on wellness and the environment.
The glacier that has an average width of about 280 meters broke away from Antarctica in 1986. It is the largest iceberg in the world.
The ice is at risk of breaking into smaller glaciers, he said, which may destroy big transport routes in the Southern Ocean as the average global temperature rises past the 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit level established by the Paris Agreement.
According to him, the icebergs may even interfere with native species like seals and penguins, which would be harmful to professional fishing.
As the ice melts, he said, the iceberg may release a lot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as well as minerals and nutrients locked inside the iceberg, possibly leading to plankton blooms that could have an impact on local food chains.
The iceberg’s enormous waters release was even increase sea levels, putting coastal areas in danger.
Areas like Samut Chedi region in Samut Prakan, Bangkok’s Bang Khun Thian city, and Bang Krachao in Samut Sakhon’s Mueang area will be most affected, he warned. The sea level is currently rising by an average of 5.8 millimeters every in Thailand.
By 2050, intense storms will be more frequent in low-lying regions farther inland, such as Bang Kholaem, Bang Rak, Thon Buri, Bangkok Noi, Bang Na, Bang Kapi, Bang Khen, Don Muang regions, and the Ramkhamhaeng area, according to Mr. Sonthi, citing a statement by Unesco.
10 % of Thailand’s population will suffer as a result, he said.