Posted by: iraszl on February 03, 2013
Since 1979, the volume of Summer Arctic Sea Ice has declined by 80% and is accelerating. The first ice-free summer in the Arctic Ocean is expected to happen between 2016 and 2022. This latest video by Andy Lee Robinson illustrates the dramatic decline since 1979 until the end of 2012.
We need to get off fossil fuels fast and move to next generation nuclear to be able to sustain our energy needs. Throw in solar and wind research too. And we need to do all of this fast.
Unfortunately even if the Antarctic balances out the ice mass it still means massive changes in weather patterns in the northern hemisphere. The gulf stream would stop which could mean drastically colder winters and much hotter summers.
Yes indeed, the Arctic is exceedingly important to all N. countries, especially Euro...see...
IEEE Spectrum, Feb 20`3m "Laser Eyes Spy a Big Melt in the Arctic".
The Economist, 9 Feb 2013, "Tequila Sunset"
AAAS Science, 25 Jan 2013, "Warming Climate Exposes Resources -- and Risks -- in the Far North"
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The only way to sensibly understand the many interacting mechanisms of earth, ice, oceans... is to read the results of the latest studies.
Adding snow to one side of Antarctica, while losing some sea ice to warmer waters can be easily consistent, since warming seas increases atmospheric water vapor, thus increasing precipitation in various regions. And, increasing precipitation in one region can reduce it in others, so taking only a few observations into account is a prescription for making bad decisions.
Why would anyone conclude that, Jim?
After all, we have our Summer when we're farthest from the sun and Winter when closest. Do you think that one parameter should define all effects?
What's you point?
Ok Jim, so now we know you don't know enough about our planent and its star! But you can drop terms like "chaotic"..
How about taking some time to study Earth's orbit -- eccentricity, nutation, Milankovitch Cycles... And study the solar-activity cycles, like the 11-year sunspot cycle, the ~90-year activity cycle, pole reversals, etc?
Then you might appreciate why we above the Equator have Summer when farthest from the Sun, but when tilted most toward the Sun.
