National Geographic's Cover Story This Month Is Climate Change

[hatrack]

EDIT

"So far, the results have been positively chilling. When President Taft created Glacier National Park in 1910, it was home to an estimated 150 glaciers. Since then the number has decreased to fewer than 30, and most of those remaining have shrunk in area by two-thirds. Fagre predicts that within 30 years most if not all of the park's namesake glaciers will disappear.

"Things that normally happen in geologic time are happening during the span of a human lifetime," says Fagre. "It's like watching the Statue of Liberty melt."

Scientists who assess the planet's health see indisputable evidence that Earth has been getting warmer, in some cases rapidly. Most believe that human activity, in particular the burning of fossil fuels and the resulting buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, have influenced this warming trend. In the past decade scientists have documented record-high average annual surface temperatures and have been observing other signs of change all over the planet: in the distribution of ice, and in the salinity, levels, and temperatures of the oceans.

"This glacier used to be closer," Fagre declares as we crest a steep section, his glasses fogged from exertion. He's only half joking. A trailside sign notes that since 1901, Sperry Glacier has shrunk from more than 800 acres to 300 acres (330 hectares to 120 hectares). "That's out of date," Fagre says, stopping to catch his breath. "It's now less than 250 acres (100 hectares)."

Everywhere on Earth ice is changing. The famed snows of Kilimanjaro have melted more than 80 percent since 1912. Glaciers in the Garhwal Himalaya in India are retreating so fast that researchers believe that most central and eastern Himalayan glaciers could virtually disappear by 2035. Arctic sea ice has thinned significantly over the past half century, and its extent has declined by about 10 percent in the past 30 years. NASA's repeated laser altimeter readings show the edges of Greenland's ice sheet shrinking. Spring freshwater ice breakup in the Northern Hemisphere now occurs nine days earlier than it did 150 years ago, and autumn freeze-up ten days later. Thawing permafrost has caused the ground to subside more than 15 feet (4.5 meters) in parts of Alaska. From the Arctic to Peru, from Switzerland to the equatorial glaciers of Irian Jaya in Indonesia, massive ice fields, monstrous glaciers, and sea ice are disappearing, fast."

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http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0409/feature2/

[villager]

1. thanks for posting, just sent the link...

...to some friends with the enviro-action group, "Climate Action Now:"

http://www.imaja.com/change/environment/can/index.html

[kestrel91316]

2. Such uplifting news..........sigh................

I am beginning to despair of our being able to turn this Titanic around in time...........

[ramapo]

3. Not a happy read

A powerful summary of the problems facing us is provided by this article. I'd like to think that it'll spur some changes. Anybody think Resident Bush might read it and think about these issues? Highly doubtful.

It is hard to imagine a leader strong enough to even begin to turn the ship around. Clinton, with the environmental VP, made minimal progress at best. I still contend that Nixon was the best friend of the environmental movement.

It will likely take some very serious ramifications becoming very obvious to the most oblivious in our society before there is support for the action and adjustments needed.

Most people are so disconnected from the environment, giving little thought of the impact that our lifestyles have upon the Earth. SUVs, air conditioning, sprawl, unlimited consumption are now seen as our birthright. Little is sacred now. Waterfront, mountain, island, desert or wilderness. These are all perfect sites for building.

Our footprint cannot continue to expand. We must begin to think about returning to our cities, revitilizing what has been thrown aside in order to keep everything from ruin.

[indigobusiness]

8. I know how you feel

Titanic is a good analogy, and it feels like we've already hit the iceberg.

[phantom power]

4. I heard NPR is doing a program on Saturday

I think the title is "Climate of Uncertainty"

[hatrack]

5. Doubtless they'll hammer how "uncertain" the science is . . .

With plenty of time devoted to the wisdom of Patrick Michaels, Dick Lindzen, Keith Idso and the appropriate members (climate experts one and ALL, of course) of the Frontiers of Freedom Foundation and CEI.

Can't wait to listen to this pile of cat logs. Maybe they can get Cokie Roberts to comment, too!

[phantom power]

6. you said "cat logs"... :)

[hatrack]

7. HUHHUHHUHHUHHUHHUHHUH!!!!!!!!!

(Insert Butt-head voice here).