Arctic sea ice retreats to record low by end of summer with ominious consequences for global warming

onAug 13, 2007 @ 11:11 PDT

The National Snow and Ice Data Center data showed sea ice extent for August 8 as 5.8m sq km (2.2m sq miles), compared to the 1979-2000 August average of 7.7m sq km (3.0m sq miles). The current record low was recorded in 2005, when Arctic sea ice covered just 5.32m sq km (2.09m sq miles).

Since the melting season runs until the middle of September, scientists believe this summer will end with the lowest ice cover on record.

Scientists now think we are starting to see a feedback pattern, with a little bit more melting during summer and a little less recovery of ice during the winter. This is expected to speed the decline of Arctic ice with major consequences for wildlife, especially polar bears, which traverse ice-floes in search of food.

Globally, Earth would lose a major reflective surface and so absorb more solar energy, accelerating climatic change around the world.

By Bill Miller

us/Children Living Close to Fracking Sites Have Two to Three Times Higher Risk of Leukemia

ByNick Cunningham

onAug 17, 2022 @ 01:00 PDT

A new study adds to a growing body of evidence that fracking represents a “public health crisis,” experts say.

us/LNG Exporter Downplays Emissions to Justify Expansion

ByNick Cunningham

onAug 12, 2022 @ 14:14 PDT

Cheniere Energy has introduced “cargo emissions tags” to assuage climate concerns of potential buyers. But a new report says these tags are riddled with problems.

Opinion

us/Reality Is Not What It Seems. And That Might Just Save the Climate.

ByGuest

onAug 11, 2022 @ 12:38 PDT

Anti-science rhetoric and special interests have pushed us to the edge of climate chaos. But just as quantum physics disrupted our view of matter and energy, quantum social change disrupts our beliefs about what’s possible, how fast, and by whom.