Row over British atlas showing greener Greenland

[The Northerner]

LONDON — A row was raging on Tuesday over The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World, often considered the most prestigious and authoritative, over its depiction of a reduced ice sheet over Greenland.

Polar scientists took issue with the publishers' claim that there had been a 15 percent shrinkage in the ice sheet over the last 12 years. The maps show a much greener coastline around the giant island, part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

The 544-page atlas, which costs £150 ($236, 172 euros), "is relied on and trusted by governments around the world, international organisations including the UN, the European Commission and media companies," publisher HarperCollins said.

The company admitted on Tuesday that the 15 percent figure was incorrect, but said it stood by the accuracy of the new maps in the 13th edition of the atlas.

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