Satellites measuring Earth’s ice mass indicate that Greenland and Antarctica have lost more than 12 trillion tons of ice over 47 years, according to a major scientific report. The figure is about 12.5 trillion tons (around 11.3 trillion metric tons) of ice melted or otherwise lost since 1979.
The outlets report the estimate as a satellite-based accounting of ice loss from glaciers and ice sheets in the two regions. City News Toronto adds a comparison meant to convey scale: the lost ice would be enough frozen water to cover the continental United States with a layer about 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep.
While the sources focus on the same overall finding and timeframe, their presentation differs mainly in framing and unit conversions. Yahoo News, Winnipeg Free Press, and The Independent emphasize the overall “12 trillion tons” figure, with The Independent highlighting the “12.5 trillion tons” detail. City News Toronto includes the illustrative stacking comparison to help readers interpret the amount.
