Climate change is not only affecting weather patterns and sea levels but also altering the way time is kept, as highlighted in a recent study published in the science journal Nature.
Effect on Earth’s Rotation
- The study reveals that the accelerating melting of glaciers and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica due to rising temperatures is redistributing weight across the planet.
- This redistribution of weight is slightly slowing down the Earth’s rotation on its axis.
Consequences for Timekeeping
- Our clocks and calendars are based on the rotation rate of the Earth, managed through Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
- Historically, the Earth has been spinning slightly faster than normal, leading to the periodic addition of “leap seconds” to clocks worldwide.
- Initially, plans were made to introduce a “negative leap second” in 2026 to account for this increased speed.
Revised Projections
- However, the study suggests that the melting ice from Antarctica and Greenland has acted as a brake, slowing the rotation back down.
- Consequently, the need for the negative leap second adjustment may be postponed until 2029 or later.
Expert Perspectives
- Duncan Agnew, the study’s author from the University of California San Diego, highlights the unprecedented nature of these changes and their impact on timekeeping.
- Demetrios Matsakis, former chief scientist for time services at the US Naval Observatory, remains skeptical, citing the unpredictable nature of Earth’s rotation.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What recent study suggests the alteration of timekeeping due to climate change?
- A) Published in a science journal Nature
- B) Published in a climate change report
- C) Published in a political magazine
- D) Published in a fashion magazine
- Answer: A) Published in a science journal Nature
- What is responsible for the slowing down of the Earth’s rotation, as mentioned in the study?
- A) Accelerating melting of glaciers in Greenland only
- B) Accelerating melting of ice sheets in Antarctica only
- C) Accelerating melting of glaciers and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica
- D) Accelerating melting of icebergs in the Arctic Ocean
- Answer: C) Accelerating melting of glaciers and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica
- How do scientists manage the rotation rate of the Earth?
- A) Through Coordinated Earth Time (CET)
- B) Through Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
- C) Through Coordinated Planetary Time (CPT)
- D) Through Coordinated Timekeeping System (CTS)
- Answer: B) Through Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
- What was the plan regarding the adjustment of timekeeping in 2026 before the study’s findings?
- A) Addition of a leap second
- B) Subtraction of a leap second
- C) Addition of a leap minute
- D) No adjustment required
- Answer: B) Subtraction of a leap second
- Who expresses skepticism regarding the need for a negative leap second in the near future?
- A) Duncan Agnew
- B) Demetrios Matsakis
- C) Chief scientist from the University of California San Diego
- D) Chief scientist from the US Naval Observatory
- Answer: B) Demetrios Matsakis