This is a question for a science fiction book I'm writing in which the inhabitants of the moon need massive amounts of water to start life there. I'm wondering what possible environmental effects this would have on Planet Earth. I ask because it would actually be a great central conflict for my book if it were to ruin the Earth. On the other hand, it would help me get past a roadblock in my current book if it were a harmless act.
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Earthquakes - apparently a mile thick cake of ice exerts a lot of force on the ground - in Greenland for example - and the land rises quite a lot when the ice melts or is magically whisked away.
It would change the salinity of the North Atlantic quite a bit if the Greenland Ice Sheet were to disappear suddenly. The ice continually melts and puts a lot of fresh water into the sea around there. However - in a short time, the whole thing will melt and it will be putting a LOT of fresh water into the N. Atlantic - so much that it might threaten to start another Ice Age.
It would change the salinity of the North Atlantic quite a bit if the Greenland Ice Sheet were to disappear suddenly. The ice continually melts and puts a lot of fresh water into the sea around there. However - in a short time, the whole thing will melt and it will be putting a LOT of fresh water into the N. Atlantic - so much that it might threaten to start another Ice Age.
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Well, this would ruin habitats for sure, which is already happening because of global warming.
The thing is, 70% of our water is frozen in glaciers, so it's taking a very valuable source away. Countries (such as Canada) are already exporting water for a profit because some countries are running so low (eg. the USA). Even though 98% of that 70% is salt water, in dire circumstances it could be treated as fresh water for a dehydrated earth.
Taking all of the glaciers away would certainly have an adverse affect on our planet, and could lead to its end.
The thing is, 70% of our water is frozen in glaciers, so it's taking a very valuable source away. Countries (such as Canada) are already exporting water for a profit because some countries are running so low (eg. the USA). Even though 98% of that 70% is salt water, in dire circumstances it could be treated as fresh water for a dehydrated earth.
Taking all of the glaciers away would certainly have an adverse affect on our planet, and could lead to its end.
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The salinity would not be changed because the water would be taken off planet and not put into the ocean.