News Minimalist logo

Melting ice caps delay leap second, prompting timekeeping changes

ABC News — March 27, 2024, 08:00 PM UTC

Summary: Melting polar ice caps are slowing Earth's spin, delaying the need for a negative leap second in UTC by three years. This change is due to global warming affecting the planet's rotation. Authorities are reconsidering leap second adjustments to prevent disruptions in technology systems. By 2035, a new time-keeping system less reliant on Earth's rotation will be implemented. The study's findings have significant implications for global timekeeping and climate change impact awareness.

Full article

Article metrics
Significance5.5
Scale9.0
Magnitude8.0
Potential8.5
Novelty7.0
Actionability6.0
Immediacy3.0
Positivity2.0
Credibility9.0

Timeline:

  1. [3.1]
    Global warming may cause a "negative leap second." (The Cool Down)
    36d
    Source
  2. [3.8]
    Earth's rotation slowing, leap second deletion delayed by climate change (PINKVILLA)
    39d
    Source
  3. [2.1]
    Potential need for negative leap second in 2029 debated (Mint)
    41d
    Source
  4. [5.0]
    Earth's rotation accelerates from melting ice caps, affecting timekeeping (Inquirer.net)
    41d

    ScoresSource
  5. [6.1]
    Global warming affects Earth's rotation, delaying leap second subtraction (Times Now)
    41d

    ScoresSource
  6. [5.7]
    Melting glaciers from climate change affect Earth's rotation, timekeeping (The Indian Express)
    42d

    ScoresSource
  7. [5.7]
    Global warming affects Earth's timekeeping, requiring UTC adjustments (Sambad English)
    42d

    ScoresSource
  8. [3.2]
    Possible "negative leap second" in 2029 due to Earth's faster rotation (KAGSTV.com)
    43d
    Source
  9. [3.0]
    Possible leap second in 2029 due to Earth's rotation (Nation Thailand)
    45d
    Source
  10. [4.6]
    Global warming may delay negative leap second until 2029 (RTE.ie)
    46d
    Source
  11. [6.5]
    Climate change may delay need for negative leap second (The Straits Times)
    46d

    ScoresSource
  12. [4.0]
    Melting polar ice affects Earth's rotation, timekeeping worldwide (PINKVILLA)
    46d
    Source
  13. [3.1]
    Earth's rotation speeding up, may need "negative leap second." (Wings)
    46d
    Source
  14. [4.2]
    Earth's rotation speeding up, may need negative leap second (News18)
    47d
    Source
  15. [4.9]
    Melting polar ice may require a "negative leap second." (The Washington Post)
    47d
    Source
  16. [5.1]
    Earth's rotation speeding up, may need "negative leap second." (The Globe and Mail)
    47d

    ScoresSource
  17. [4.5]
    Earth's rotation speeding up, possible negative leap second in 2029 (The Associated Press)
    47d
    Source
  18. [5.9]
    Negative leap second likely in 2029 due to Earth's changes (CNN)
    47d

    ScoresSource