Concerns persist that the novel practice could cause unintended harm the same way invasive plants and animals have wreaked havoc on native species.

Scientists and environmental advocates across the world have long hailed the efforts to heal the ozone hole as one of the biggest ecological victories for humanity.

The flooding killed more than 1,700 people, destroyed more than 2 million homes and covered as much as one-third of the country at one point.

The company says it needs the coal to ensure Germany’s energy security, which has come under strain following the cut in gas supplies from Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.

Scientists from around the world used what is called a glacier evolution model, inputting different temperatures and precipitation levels into a coding program to glean context about the worst- and best-case scenarios.