Tag: arctic

Climate scientists got it wrong

Climate scientists screwed up.  Predicting climate change is a tricky business, and as a result, there are many competing models that attempt to predict how global warming will impact our climate.  When it comes to arctic sea ice, they were all wrong.  Take a look at the graph here, showing actual arctic sea ice extent versus the various predictions.  It turns out that the reality is far worse than any scientists were predicting, and this should scare you.  These same models have been used to help convince people how we need to reduce CO2 emissions or face really bad consequences on a global scale…and yet…these models were too optimistic.

Think about that for a minute.

Scientists are even starting to call this a ‘planetary emergency‘.  If you don’t know why you should care, then please, at least TRUST the scientists and experts in this field of study.  The fact is, they know more than you do about this – and there’s no shame in that, it’s their job!  Don’t listen to politicians and business experts who don’t understand climate change…either become an expert yourself, or defer to those who ARE experts.  Just don’t let others interpret the results for you.  Don’t let ME interpret the results for you – read for yourself what the scientists are saying and don’t let others influence you.

(via: link1, link2)

Arctic Ice Reaches New Minimum

Weeks ago, the extent of ice in the arctic had already reached record lows and was continuing to melt as we reported here.  Now, the melting has stopped (as expected for this time of year).  So, how bad was it?  According to the NY Times, the low point was about 1.32 million square miles, or 24 percent of the Arctic Ocean (the previous low was 29%, set back in 2007).  It used to be around 50% when satellite-based ice tracking began back in the 70’s.

The question is, what’s it going to take before people get serious about halting global warming?

Arctic Sea Ice Vanishing

It seems to me that every year or so for the past decade, I’d see a story in the news reporting on the minimum extent of arctic sea ice, comparing it to previous years, etc.  Sometimes it’d be reaching a new minimum, sometimes it’d be the second or third worst on history.  This usually occurs around late September or early October, when arctic sea ice usually hits its minimum for the year.  So, it’s too soon to be hearing doom and gloom about the arctic this year, right, since we’re still in August?

Nope.

As the graph above shows, we probably haven’t reached the 2012 arctic sea ice minimum point yet…but we have already set a new record for minimum sea ice extent in the arctic.  If historic trends prove true, we have another month of so of melting before we reach the actual minimum for this year.  2012 is, unfortunately, providing global evidence of the impact our species is having on this planet through CO2 emissions and global warming.  While the technology exists to halt this slide into oblivion, we so far lack the willpower to do something about it. On the contrary, the Republican party is in outright denial of the issue, and a very large percentage of Americans are blindly following along.

What will it take to convince people that preserving this awesome planet for future generations to enjoy is worth a bit of personal sacrifice?\

(via climatecrocks.com)

Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Baskerville 2 by Anders Noren.

Up ↑