In a never-heard situation, global warming and melting of polar ice are slowing down the rotation of Earth and this can affect how time is measured.&nbsp;

In a study published on Wednesday (Mar 27), it was discovered that the melting of polar ice, which has been happening continuously due to climate change, has slowed down the spinning of Earth.&nbsp;

The study's author Duncan Agnew, who is a geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, said&nbsp;the rapid melting of ice on the poles changes where the mass of the Earth is concentrated.&nbsp;

In turn, the change affects the angular velocity of the planet as the presence of less solid ice at the poles will lead to more mass around the equator.&nbsp;

Speaking to NBC News, Thomas Herring, a professor of geophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was not part of the new study said, “What you’re doing with the ice melt is you’re taking water that’s frozen solid in places like Antarctica and Greenland, and that frozen water is melting, and you move the fluids to other places on the planet. The water flows off towards the equator.”&nbsp;

The groundbreaking study has showcased how humans have been capable of doing something never thought was in control of humanity.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-plan-to-suck-out-water-from-earths-atmosphere-to-fight-climate-change-695106">Scientists plan to suck out water from Earth's atmosphere to fight climate change</a>

“It’s kind of impressive, even to me, that we’ve done something that measurably changes how fast the Earth rotates. Things are happening that are unprecedented," Agnew said.&nbsp;

<h2>So, why will time stop in 2029?</h2>

It is universally known that an extra day gets added in the month of February once every four years, which is known as a leap year.&nbsp;

However, after every few years, a 'leap second' also gets added which is usually at the end of December or June.

This happens because the speed at which Earth spins around its axis slightly fluctuates, which means one complete rotation is not exactly one day.&nbsp;

However, after the study, Agnew has called for a 'negative' leap second, which is the deletion of a second for the first time in history.&nbsp;

The professor suggested that the negative leap second should occur in 2029 to account the for fast spinning of the Earth, however, he warned that that this can cause 'unprecedented' problems in smartphones and computers.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-asteroid-flew-past-earth-in-near-miss-690710/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Extrapolating the trends for the core and other relevant phenomena to predict future Earth orientation shows that Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) as now defined will require a negative discontinuity by 2029," said Professor Agnew, in his new paper.&nbsp;

"This will pose an unprecedented problem for computer network timing and may require changes in UTC to be made earlier than is planned," he added.&nbsp;

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the ultra-precise 'atomic clock' which keeps ticking continuously and precisely around the world.&nbsp;

However, these atomic clocks fail to align with the observed 'solar time', as per which every day is the representation of a single rotation of the Earth.

If the rotation of the Earth is not slowed by the melting ice, there will be a requirement of the negative leap second three years earlier in 2026, said Professor Agnew.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a never-heard situation, global warming and melting of polar ice are slowing down the rotation of Earth and this can affect how time is measured. In a study published on Wednesday (Mar 27), it was discovered that the melting of polar ice, which has been happening continuously due to climate change, has slowed down the spinning of Earth.

In a never-heard situation, global warming and melting of polar ice are slowing down the rotation of Earth and this can affect how time is measured. In a study published on Wednesday (Mar 27), it was discovered that the melting of polar ice, which has been happening continuously due to climate change, has slowed down the spinning of Earth. The study's author Duncan Agnew, who is a geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, said the rapid melting of ice on the poles changes where the mass of the Earth is concentrated. In turn, the change affects the angular velocity of the planet as the presence of less solid ice at the poles will lead to more mass around the equator. Speaking to NBC News, Thomas Herring, a professor of geophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was not part of the new study said, “What you’re doing with the ice melt is you’re taking water that’s frozen solid in places like Antarctica and Greenland, and that frozen water is melting, and you move the fluids to other places on the planet. The water flows off towards the equator.” The groundbreaking study has showcased how humans have been capable of doing something never thought was in control of humanity. Also Read: Scientists plan to suck out water from Earth's atmosphere to fight climate change “It’s kind of impressive, even to me, that we’ve done something that measurably changes how fast the Earth rotates. Things are happening that are unprecedented," Agnew said. So, why will time stop in 2029? It is universally known that an extra day gets added in the month of February once every four years, which is known as a leap year. However, after every few years, a 'leap second' also gets added which is usually at the end of December or June. This happens because the speed at which Earth spins around its axis slightly fluctuates, which means one complete rotation is not exactly one day. However, after the study, Agnew has called for a 'negative' leap second, which is the deletion of a second for the first time in history. The professor suggested that the negative leap second should occur in 2029 to account the for fast spinning of the Earth, however, he warned that that this can cause 'unprecedented' problems in smartphones and computers. Watch: Gravitas: Asteroid flew past Earth in near miss "Extrapolating the trends for the core and other relevant phenomena to predict future Earth orientation shows that Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) as now defined will require a negative discontinuity by 2029," said Professor Agnew, in his new paper. "This will pose an unprecedented problem for computer network timing and may require changes in UTC to be made earlier than is planned," he added. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the ultra-precise 'atomic clock' which keeps ticking continuously and precisely around the world. However, these atomic clocks fail to align with the observed 'solar time', as per which every day is the representation of a single rotation of the Earth. If the rotation of the Earth is not slowed by the melting ice, there will be a requirement of the negative leap second three years earlier in 2026, said Professor Agnew. (With inputs from agencies)

Time will stop in 2029? Melting polar ice slows Earth's rotation, scientists warn...

France has committed to spending €1 billion ($1.07 billion or £880 million) in polar research by 2030.&nbsp;

The step, as per reports, is in response to growing scientific concern over the accelerating melting of the world's ice caps and glaciers.

<h2>Macron's speech</h2>

Speaking at a summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised the urgent need for action, stating, "We are not talking about a threat for tomorrow, but one that is already present and accelerating. We are talking about a transformation of the cryosphere [the Earth's ice] that already threatens millions and will threaten billions of the planet's inhabitants with multiple direct and indirect consequences."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-fossil-fuel-production-plans-threaten-15-degree-celsius-warming-threshold-un-report-656656">Global fossil fuel production plans threaten 1.5 degree Celsius warming threshold: UN report</a>

As per The Guardian, a new polar science vessel will lead the initiative. France is urging a moratorium on seabed exploitation in polar regions, with several countries, including the UK, Canada, Brazil, and 19 others, signing up.

John Kerry, the US special presidential envoy for climate, who did not attend the Paris summit, sent a video message. In it, he warned: "We must understand the tipping points, the points which there is no reclaiming, there is no coming back."

<h2>Polar temperatures: A cause for concern</h2>

Rising temperatures at both poles, resulting in heatwaves, have raised concerns among scientists.&nbsp;

As one scientist put it, it is "gobsmackingly bananas," this year, marked as the hottest on record — probably the hottest in 100,000 years — has witnessed ocean temperatures well above normal levels.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/mount-st-helens-more-than-400-earthquakes-recorded-since-mid-july-it-is-a-threat-656931">Mount St Helens: More than 400 earthquakes recorded since mid-July. It is a threat?</a>

The Earth's ice caps play a crucial role in reflecting sunlight back into space, known as the "albedo effect," and their melting could trigger rapid climate change by reducing this reflection.

"I know that climate change is seen as a soft issue [compared with wars and national security]… but we can’t negotiate with the melting point of ice," warned Pam Pearson, founder and director of the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative.

(With inputs from agencies)

France has committed to spending €1 billion ($1.07 billion or £880 million) in polar research by 2030. The step, as per reports, is in response to growing scientific concern over the accelerating melting of the world's ice caps and glaciers.

France has committed to spending €1 billion ($1.07 billion or £880 million) in polar research by 2030. The step, as per reports, is in response to growing scientific concern over the accelerating melting of the world's ice caps and glaciers. Macron's speech Speaking at a summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised the urgent need for action, stating, "We are not talking about a threat for tomorrow, but one that is already present and accelerating. We are talking about a transformation of the cryosphere [the Earth's ice] that already threatens millions and will threaten billions of the planet's inhabitants with multiple direct and indirect consequences." Also read | Global fossil fuel production plans threaten 1.5 degree Celsius warming threshold: UN report As per The Guardian, a new polar science vessel will lead the initiative. France is urging a moratorium on seabed exploitation in polar regions, with several countries, including the UK, Canada, Brazil, and 19 others, signing up. John Kerry, the US special presidential envoy for climate, who did not attend the Paris summit, sent a video message. In it, he warned: "We must understand the tipping points, the points which there is no reclaiming, there is no coming back." Polar temperatures: A cause for concern Rising temperatures at both poles, resulting in heatwaves, have raised concerns among scientists. As one scientist put it, it is "gobsmackingly bananas," this year, marked as the hottest on record — probably the hottest in 100,000 years — has witnessed ocean temperatures well above normal levels. Also read | Mount St Helens: More than 400 earthquakes recorded since mid-July. It is a threat? The Earth's ice caps play a crucial role in reflecting sunlight back into space, known as the "albedo effect," and their melting could trigger rapid climate change by reducing this reflection. "I know that climate change is seen as a soft issue [compared with wars and national security]… but we can’t negotiate with the melting point of ice," warned Pam Pearson, founder and director of the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative. (With inputs from agencies)

France commits a billion Euros to polar research amid ice caps, glaciers' melting concerns

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