Arctic melt means global warming past point of no return

[Rigorous Intuition]

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Global Meltdown</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> <br>Massive loss of Arctic ice means global warming is now past the point of no return, say scientists <br><br>Sept 16, The Independent<br><br>A record loss of sea ice in the Arctic this summer has convinced scientists that the northern hemisphere may have crossed a critical threshold beyond which the climate may never recover. Scientists fear that the Arctic has now entered an irreversible phase of warming which will accelerate the loss of the polar sea ice that has helped to keep the climate stable for thousands of years. <br><br>They believe global warming is melting Arctic ice so rapidly that the region is beginning to absorb more heat from the sun, causing the ice to melt still further and so reinforcing a vicious cycle of melting and heating.<br><br>The greatest fear is that the Arctic has reached a "tipping point" beyond which nothing can reverse the continual loss of sea ice and with it the massive land glaciers of Greenland, which will raise sea levels dramatically.<br><br>Satellites monitoring the Arctic have found that the extent of the sea ice this August has reached its lowest monthly point on record, dipping an unprecedented 18.2 per cent below the long-term average.<br><br>Experts believe that such a loss of Arctic sea ice in summer has not occurred in hundreds and possibly thousands of years. It is the fourth year in a row that the sea ice in August has fallen below the monthly downward trend - a clear sign that melting has accelerated.<br><br>Scientists are now preparing to report a record loss of Arctic sea ice for September, when the surface area covered by the ice traditionally reaches its minimum extent at the end of the summer melting period.<br><br>Sea ice naturally melts in summer and reforms in winter but for the first time on record this annual rebound did not occur last winter when the ice of the Arctic failed to recover significantly.<br><br>Arctic specialists at the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre at Colorado University, who have documented the gradual loss of polar sea ice since 1978, believe that a more dramatic melt began about four years ago.<br><br>...<br><br>As the sea ice melts, and more of the sun's energy is absorbed by the exposed ocean, a positive feedback is created leading to the loss of yet more ice, Professor Wadhams said.<br><br>"If anything we may be underestimating the dangers. The computer models may not take into account collaborative positive feedback," he said.<br><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/article312997.ece" target="top">news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/article312997.ece</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> <p></p><i></i>

[wintler]

As a long time precautionist & sometime activist on climate change, this is pretty damn depressing. I'm actually praying the repugnicants are right (has to happen once) and cl.change IS a muddleheaded conspiracy. 'Just' resource depletion and deep politics is enough challenge, thanks very much.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START |I --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tired.gif ALT="|I"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[maggrwaggr]

Depressing is putting it mildly.<br><br>This stuff is starting to keep me awake nights for the first time ever.<br><br>Katrina is just a little sneak preview of what's in store. The entire state of Florida is going to disappear. For instance.<br><br>Where to go? Nobody knows. The climates might change completely, everywhere. Britain may become like Siberia. But who knows? It may end up like Ibiza. Or Costa Rica. Nobody knows.<br><br>The midwest of our country may end up like the Sahara. Or like Guatemala. Nobody knows.<br><br>Between that and the coming Bird Flu epidemic, I am just about stymied as to how I'm supposed to protect my family.<br><br>Me I don't care about so much. But my son ........ he's about to turn three. <br><br>All I care about is protecting him and I'm not sure how to do it. It makes me feel helpless. <p></p><i></i>

[RollickHooper]

And the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica is bigger than ever (don't make me look for a link, I just read it yesterday).<br>I've been biting my tongue ever since Jeff made the announcement that he was a new father . . . but I have to ask those of you bringing new life into these dark days: What were you thinking? <p></p><i></i>

[Sokolova]

Because there are no figures. No data. No basis. What does 'record' mean? Record of how much? Since when?<br><br>It smacks of the kind of alarmist stuff scientists put out when they are up for refunding and need to make it clear they are doing vital work.<br><br>Remember, the world cools and warms all the time. It was warmer a thousand years ago, and colder two hundred years ago. There is as yet no solid evidence that the current warming is extreme, or unnatural, or anything to do with human activity.<br><br>I'd go into more detail, but I don't have the time or energy. Find the thread on global warming I started and visit the links I posted - if you are interested in an objective look at the situation. <br><br>(BTW I am NOT in denial or a tool of the fossil fue industry. I just happen to have looked deeply into this and to feel the facts are not necessarily as presented in the popular media)<br><br>Ellie <p></p><i></i>

[Gouda]

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>...I have to ask those of you bringing new life into these dark days: What were you thinking? <hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>I've been conflicted on progeneration (is that a word?) in my own life as well - but in a way, the answer to why we must is in your question. <br><br>One, dark days need new life - new life reared under the tutelage of good parents, true teachers, are what dark days need. Two, would we rather be snuffed out by mother nature, dick cheney, or our own refusal to continue? Our refusal would make for the darkest of days. <br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[rain]

I probably went through this most critically with my third pregnancy back in '82/'83.<br>some of us have figured out what we were thinking, and some of these kids will figure out what they were thinking too.<br> <p></p><i></i>

[RollickHooper]

There is, I suppose, some merit in saying "we just don't know what the future holds," and I'm neutral on the debate as to whether or not positive outlook makes for positive outcomes. I fully support all resources available to us being invested in our children, their future, but that doesn't automatically suggest adding more children. And my survival instinct is as strong as anybody's, but what I lack is the imperative to pass my genetic material forward--in fact, as an American of European descent I feel a certain obligation to step aside . . .<br><br>I sense a slightly defensive tone in your responses, I knew I was treading on sacred ground, I withdraw the question. <p></p><i></i>

[Dreams End]

Ellie,<br><br>It gives data, though this is a news article...I think you'd want to refer to the actual report. <br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://nsidc.org/news/">nsidc.org/news/</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><br>They have the news release about the report here:<br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=16978">earthobservatory.nasa.gov...g_id=16978</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><br>I didn't see the actual report but I think they have a quarterly newsletter that might be worth looking into. I think your responses to these reports have become a bit knee-jerk, really. <br><br>Oh, and the story itself never said that human caused global warming was the cause. The longer story in the first link does discuss it but as a hypothesis.<br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[rain]

R.H., no defensiveness felt or intended in my response. I can't speak for others, but I know where I take my stand and why, as, I presume, others here do. it is akin to a 'gift', a token, or manifestation, of our love.<br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[RollickHooper]

rain, that's the best answer you could have given, I think.<br>Thank you <p></p><i></i>

[rain]

you are most welcome.<br> <p></p><i></i>

[Gouda]

rollickhooper, no defensiveness from me either - all questions can potentially lead to "collaborative positive feedback" - i am still without children and at a point where the big decision must be made while confronting global warming, arctic meltdown, justice meltdowns, etc. Likely I'll be erring on the side of the hubristic, perhaps, notion that I would be steering my kid(s) in the right direction. Adoption is another good option. <br><br>We do not need more people, but more educated people - be they african, euro, central american, north american, south american, asian. The earth would not mind hosting even 15 billion right-living souls. <br><br>Computers models may not be taking into account OUR "collaborative positive feedback."<br><br>Perhaps Jeff is reconciling or has reconciled these issues, as I presume he is immersed simultaneously in the miracle of new life and the horrors confronting us now and in the near future. There's a global meltdown outside, but the little tyke has also just massively poo'd his/her diaper! <br><br> <p></p><i></i>