Climate Change
How is climate change affecting Iceland?
Iceland, located in the North Atlantic, is experiencing the effects of climate change in various ways. The country's glaciers are shrinking, with some estimates suggesting they could disappear entirely within the next century. This not only affects Iceland's tourism industry, which heavily relies on glacier-related activities, but also impacts the country's freshwater supply, as glaciers are an important source of water.
In addition, Iceland's ecosystems are being altered as temperatures rise. For instance, the country's forests are expanding, as warmer temperatures allow for more tree growth, while at the same time, changing ocean conditions are causing a shift in fish populations, which has implications for Iceland's fishing industry.
Finally, Iceland is also experiencing an increase in extreme weather events, such as storms and flooding, which can cause damage to infrastructure and disrupt daily life.