This summer may see first ice-free North Pole

[slowhand]

WASHINGTON - There's a 50-50 chance that the North Pole will be ice-free this summer, which would be a first in recorded history, a leading ice scientist says.


The weather and ocean conditions in the next couple of weeks will determine how much of the sea ice will melt, and early signs are not good, said Mark Serreze. He's a senior researcher at the National Snow and Ice Data Center and the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo.

The chances for a total meltdown at the pole are higher than ever because the layer of ice coating the sea is thinner than ever, he said.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080628/ap_on_sc/sci_north_pole_melt;_ylt=AsGWdQLhn8Zx5lutsZWfUP6s0NUE

 

[FreeOnes]

Bad news

 

[Bigoldowls]

Ah, but is this due to 'global warming', or just part of a patten of normal weather conditions?

 

[tartanterrier]

It could be just a change the world is going through at the moment.I mean
the appearance of the world continually changes right :dunno:

 

[Friday on my mind]

Yes there are natural cycles but I think if you do a little research you will see they are not usually rapid changes without some sort of event like comet hitting planet or massive volcano eruption or similar.Normal changes are over usually 10s of thousands of years not over a hundred or so.The scientists are very clear on this, add a bunch of Co2 to the atmosphere(which we have and continue to do) and you will get warming.

 

[sammy402002]

Ah, but is this due to 'global warming', or just part of a patten of normal weather conditions?

There was a little ice age in the middle ages-(global cooling)---So You make a good point Bigoldowls.Don't get Me wrong;I do not "entirely" deny global warming since I am no scientist,however I do question the arrogance of humans that think they can explain every change in climate or weather in the world.Are we really that intelligent to have ALL the answers about our Earth and environment? I don't think so.The planet has been warming and cooling in cycles for thousands and thousands of years.Just something for people to think about.-Having said that,I do believe in preserving nature and cutting back on pollution and not making a mess of things as we seem to be doing now.

 

[Facetious]

Why ? http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001416.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interglacial

 

[gunslingingbird]

You're late on posting this!

 

[michael0292]

sux to be a penguin

 

[gunslingingbird]

sux to be a penguin

:crash: Penguins live in the South Pole. Of course, if you would've paid attention in geography and biology class, or read the article, you would know that. :cussing:

 

[Friday on my mind]

sux to be a penguin

:crash: Penguins live in the South Pole. Of course, if you would've paid attention in geography and biology class, or read the article, you would know that. :cussing:

Ok so he should have used polar bears instead.But don't worry Michael the penquins are probably going to be in trouble as well at the south pole.And even more importantly if you beleive the scientists(which I do) in a couple decades humans may be in a world of shit as well.

 

[Peter Gazinya]

Well, I won't be visiting there this summer then. I can't stand a vodka tonic with no ice in it.