Skip to content

On the top of these mile thick slabs of ice the water is…

“On the top of these mile thick slabs of ice the water is percolating quickly to the base and greasing the skids, as it were, for the slide of that ice into the ocean.” quote by Bill McKibben
Download Open image
“On the top of these mile thick slabs of ice the water is percolating quickly to the base and greasing the skids, as it were, for the slide of that ice into the ocean.”

Bill McKibben

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Ice sheets melt from underneath, lubricating their base and causing them to slide into the sea, accelerating sea‑level rise.

In simple terms: Melting ice slides into oceans, raising sea levels.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and address climate‑driven ice melt.

Themes

climate change glaciology sea‑level rise environmental impact

Mood

concerned urgent

Type

scientific environmental

When to use this quote

  • coastal planning
  • policy advocacy
  • scientific research
  • public education

Key Concepts

feedback loops thermodynamics geophysical processes

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does this process affect coastal communities?
  • What mitigation strategies can slow ice sheet loss?
A Different Perspective

The description simplifies complex ocean‑ice interactions and may overlook regional variations.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Bill McKibben

Explore all 299 Bill McKibben quotes

More Ice quotes

Browse all 1,949 Ice quotes