OtherFebruary 1, 2026
Antarctica is Greening: Vegetation spreads 10x faster
A startling new satellite analysis published this week reveals that plant life on the Antarctic Peninsula has grown by over 1000% in the last few decades. What was once white ice is increasingly turning green with mosses and lichens as temperatures rise.
The Data
* Rate: Vegetation cover increased from less than 1 sq km in 1986 to over 12 sq km today.
* Acceleration: The rate of greening has sped up by 30% in just the last 5 years.
* Implication: This allows invasive species to potentially colonize the continent, forever changing its fragile ecosystem.
Why it matters
Antarctica is the planet's cooling system. As it darkens with vegetation, it absorbs more heat, creating a feedback loop that accelerates global warming. It's a visible, tangible sign that the climate crisis is reshaping even the most remote corners of Earth.
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