BBC Breakfast presenter Nina Warhurst has been accused "misinforming viewers" after she shared her thoughts on the latest developments with the world's largest iceberg, A23a.
The berg has hit headlines this week after an expedition travelled passed it to discover giant caves and arches had been etched into its solid walls.
A23a, which stands at a remarkable 50 miles in width, broke away from the Antarctic coastline almost four decades ago in 1986 but its migration has gathered speed recently.
But while the melting of icebergs and shifts in their shape and size are often put down to climate change, this time it is widely considered to be part of a natural cycle - which even has benefits for the planet.
In fact, BBC News at 10 presenter Reeta Chakrabarti explained on Tuesday evening: "Now, take a look at this. Erosion is carving dramatic features into this, the world's biggest iceberg, in what's likely to be the final months of its existence.
"The iceberg known as A23a is being ground down by the warmer air and water it's encountering as it drifts slowly away from the Antarctic."
The caves and arches in A23a caused by erosion
BBC
She explained to viewers: "But it's not seen as a consequence of climate change and as it melts it will have benefits."
Reporter Jonathan Amos was then introduced who similarly explained during his report on A23a's drift that "the production and melting of these big icebergs are part of a natural cycle, not an obvious consequence of climate change".
He added: "As this one melts, there are upsides. It will be dropping mineral dust in the ocean.
"This is a fertiliser stimulating the growth of the very smallest organisms like plankton all the way up to the biggest creatures on the planet, the blue whales."
But it appears BBC Breakfast hosts Warhurst and co-presenter Sally Nugent weren't as informed as their colleagues were when they discussed the news on Wednesday morning.
Sticking to the script, Nugent began: "Dramatic features caused by erosion are being sculpted into the world's biggest iceberg."
Warhurst similarly read aloud: "It's known as the A23a and it's being ground down by warmer air and water that it's encountering as it drifts slowly across the Antarctic.
"This current together with the prevailing westerlies is pushing A23a in the general direction of the South Orkney Islands which are about 600 kilometres or 370 miles northeast of the tip of the Atlantic peninsula. Look at that!"
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Nina Warhurst (left) and Sally Nugent (right) blamed climate change on BBC Breakfast
BBC
"Very, very beautiful," Nugent said as the two began going off-script, with Warhurst replying: "Fascinating though how much climate change is having an impact on the shape - of the very structure - of these colossal things."
Nugent failed to correct or challenge her co-star before the pair moved on with the show.
But the comments didn't go unnoticed by viewers, including one viewer who hit out on X, formerly Twitter: "BBCBreakfast please inform your presenter the giant iceberg in the news has nothing to do with climate change. Heaven forbid the BBC would misinform the viewers." (sic)
GB News has contacted the BBC for comment.
