Arctic Summer Sea Ice

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from Science News, October 13, 2007; vol.172, no.15, p. 238:
Arctic Sea Ice Falls to Modern Low
The area of the Arctic Ocean covered by ice fell to a modern low this year, breaking all records kept since satellites began monitoring the poles almost 30 years ago.

Some Arctic sea ice always melts in summer, generally reaching its lowest level in September before it refreezes with the coming of winter. Analyzing satellite data, scientists with the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado in Boulder declared the new record on Sept. 16. By that date, the Arctic ice had shrunk to just 4.13 million square kilometers, which is some 1.19 million km^2 lower than the prior record, set in 2005. Compared with the old record, 2007's summer-ice coverage lost an area "about the size of Texas and California combined," says team member Mark Sereze. "This year didn't just beat the old record, it completely shattered it," he adds.

While computer models generally predict continuing declines in Arctic summer ice, Serreze says that the new data suggest that "we are about 30 years ahead of projections right now." Existing models might underestimate how much heat the ice absorbs from the sun and how much heat flows into the Arctic from Northern Hemisphere oceans.

The loss of ice "is simply too strong and persistent to be dismissed as part of a natural cycle of variability," Serreze says. "It's inescapable that we're now seeing the effects of greenhouse warming." -C.C.

{transcribed from the original magazine. All errors mine.}

That makes me sad, for some reason. I've always wanted to visit that part of the world. Now it'll probably be under water,soon.

This is so absolutely distressing. I see the how humans have harmed the Earth every day (rampant urban sprawl, light pollution, kayaking in the greasy, plastic-bottle-filled, otterless river). I used to work in a cancer/hospice ward, knowing that most of the disease I saw was caused by our increasingly toxic environment and the chemicals we eat instead of food- you know, Laffy Taffy is not breakfast! Really! Why don't people see the big picture, she wondered, before getting ready to bike to work.

here's another happy tale:

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/ar ... 13341.html

Yes, anybody who does not beleive in humans and global warming is ignorant. This may cause another interesting problem, territory issues. Countrys like Canada, US, Russia, England ect... will fight for control of areas as the ice continues to melt, and more resources (oil, natural gas) in that melted territory become accessible. Wars could be fought for these resources. I see little positive overall from greenhouse effect the humans exasperate.

Thus far it has been a warmish winter with a period a couple of weeks ago actually warming up to above zero degrees Celsius.

I am pleading for a couple of good solid cold spells this winter -- bring on -30 degree days!

~CGKings317