Study: Arctic sea ice melting faster than expected

[G_j]

Study: Arctic sea ice melting faster than expected

By Associated Press
Thursday, April 2, 2009

WASHINGTON — Arctic sea ice is melting so fast most of it could be gone in 30 years.

A new analysis of changing conditions in the region, using complex computer models of weather and climate, says conditions that had been forecast by the end of the century could occur much sooner.

A change in the amount of ice is important because the white surface reflects sunlight back into space. When ice is replaced by dark ocean water that sunlight can be absorbed, warming the water and increasing the warming of the planet.


The finding adds to concern about climate change caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, a problem that has begun receiving more attention in the Obama administration and is part of the G20 discussions under way in London.

"Due to the recent loss of sea ice, the 2005-2008 autumn central Arctic surface air temperatures were greater than 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit) above" what would be expected, the new study reports.

That amount of temperature increase had been expected by the year 2070.

Read more:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/general/view/2009_04_02_Study:_Arctic_sea_ice_melting_faster_than_expected

[FirstLight]

1. Is anyone surprised by this?

ALL the models have been off by decades, the cumulative effects have not been factored in correctly....

and have we changed our ways? While we CAN do things on a grass roots level, it is the responsibility of the govt and the 'corporate infrastructure' to upgrade ...should have ben done decades AGO...
but some people were too busy playing the craps tables with stock options and oil futures...

and now we are collectively fucked. If we stop RIGHT NOW from using any more fossil fuels and stop making dirty energy
the effects of today's usage will be felt for years to come...
there is no stopping the train, we are past the tipping point

what happens next is anyone's guess...since the models are wrong,
I guess we won't know until it comes bearing down upon us
the frog in the pot of water, for sure

[Kip Humphrey]

2. Every year, climate models have to be recalibrated in an accelerated fashion. This tells me that

the models are missing key factors that are influencing the climate temperature rise.

[G_j]

3. very good point

60 years off?

[G_j]

4. ***

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. .

:scared: