Posted on 12/22/2002 7:36:29 AM PST by freeforall
Arctic ice cap to vanish in 80 years, study says Kyoto climate treaty came 'too late' to save polar ice from melting
Jonathan Leake The Times, London
Sunday, December 22, 2002
The ice cap covering the North Pole will vanish in less than 80 years as climate change melts it away, say British meteorological researchers.
The area covered by ice has shrunk by 20 per cent since the 1950s and its average winter thickness has reduced by 40 per cent since 1970. From detailed measurements of the rate of melting, the Met Office's Hadley Centre for monitoring climate change predicts the ice-cap will disappear around September 2079.
The Met Office research, to be published next year, assumes emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will continue to rise at their current rate. Many believe this will happen since the U.S. rejected the Kyoto climate treaty that would have cut emissions. Canada ratified the treaty Monday.
Geoff Jenkins, head of climate change prediction, said only a few icebergs would be left. "Our figures suggest that virtually all the ice will be gone," he said.
Even if the world reduced emissions by the maximum possible, it would only give a few years reprieve, says the Met Office.
"The greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere mean we will keep getting warmer for decades, whatever we do," said Mr. Jenkins. "Cutting emissions is important, but the effects will come too late to save the polar ice cap."
The loss of the ice cap will open up the Northwest Passage and enable ships to save thousands of kilometres on journeys between Europe and the Far East.
It could also change weather patterns. The larger expanse of open sea would increase evaporation and rainfall, possibly causing wetter summers in Europe. It might also allow more plankton to grow, thus boosting fish stocks.
For other wildlife, however, the change could be disastrous. Polar bears and seals would be hit hard because they rely on floating ice to hunt and breed.
"The north polar wildlife is unique, but it is going to have to adapt fast if it is to survive," said Peter Wadhams, professor of ocean physics at Cambridge University.
The thinning of the ice has already hampered some expeditions to the pole. David Mill, a Briton, had to be rescued last May after finding his way blocked by thin ice.
The melting of the North Pole will not raise sea levels as all the ice is floating. There are, however, fears the temperature increases could melt Antarctica, the southern ice cap. This sits above sea level on a buried continent so melting would sharply raise sea levels.
© Copyright 2002 The Ottawa Citizen
So true. I'm buying up property in western MA.
With my luck, the poles will shift before the flood. HA!
Balanced = Intellectually honest in your opinion.
No
Balanced (in the lexicon of todays newspeak usage) = presentation of any "opinion" as socially acceptable on a theory of all "opinons" are of positive value.
The Scientific method is not a balanced view based in socially acceptible opinions. It is a one sided, hardnosed view that tosses out opinions not rooted in varifiable measurement and calculation.
Or because it evokes scarey new-que-lar images...
Great - when our property is waterfront, the value will skyrocket!
Does this mean my "Ocean Front" property in Colorado will be worth more than the mint it already is ;0) well it was oceanfront a few million years ago.
I have got that saved, thnak you. A very good statement!
Thanks.
And it isn't meant to be a slam. It applies to all of us, myself included, to one degree or another.
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