Major New Study: Warming Over Arctic Ocean Even Faster; Changing Weather As Far As SE Asia
A new international report shows that Arctic temperatures are rising higher and faster than expected, and the effects are already being felt around the world. "The Arctic's climate is shifting to a new state," warns the report.
"This transformation has profound implications for people, resources and ecosystems worldwide."
The Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic assessment was written by more than 90 scientists from around the world who compiled the latest northern research on how climate change is affecting the Arctic ice and ecosystems. It's part of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program of the Arctic Council, which represents eight circumpolar countries.
Among the findings in this year's report:
The Arctic Ocean could be largely free of sea ice in the summer as early as 2030 or even before that.
Arctic temperatures are rising twice as fast as the temperatures in the rest of the world. In the fall of 2016 mean temperatures were six degrees higher than average.
Thawing permafrost that holds 50 per cent of the world's carbon is already affecting northern infrastructure and could release significant amounts of methane into the atmosphere.
Polar bears, walruses and seals that rely on ice for survival are facing increased stress and disruption.
Changes in the Arctic may be affecting weather as far away as Southeast Asia.
EDIT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/arctic-climate-warming-ice-report-1.4083728
