ARCTIC MELTING: The North-West and North-East Passages are clear of ice, the North Pole is an island for the first time in human history
There are still a significant number of climate change and global warming disbelievers. Some disbelievers think climate change and global warming are a lie and nothing more than propaganda to push a liberal agenda, while some folks believe that global warming is natural or of a non-anthropogenic origin. However, the science is clear (just as clear as the science on evolution) that the anthropogenic release of carbon dioxide is a dominating factor that warms the earth.
Our children should be learning about climate change and global warming early in school to debunk illogical conclusions. Both climate change and evolution shouldn’t be controversial issues (even for Christians, because why wouldn’t God allow species to change over time for their survival, and we have a duty to protect the environment), since both evolution and climate change are observable facts. However, republicans would certainly make teaching climate change and global warming as part of a curriculum an issue as they have evolution. As a result, we regress as a society. We can’t afford another republican administration. From the Mail Online:
Startling satellite pictures taken three days ago show that melting ice has opened up the fabled North-West and North-East Passages – making it possible to sail around the Arctic ice cap.
. . .
The pictures, produced by Nasa, mark the first time in at least 125,000 years that the two shortcuts linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans have been ice-free at the same time.
In 2005, the North-East Passage around Russia opened, while the western one, across the top of Canada, remained closed, and last year the position was reversed.
. . .
Shipping companies are ready to exploit the new routes. The Beluga group, based in Bremen, Germany, plans to send the first ship through the North-East passage next year, cutting 4,000 nautical miles off the voyage from Germany to Japan.
. . .
Others believe it could take as little as five years for the Pole, currently frozen all year round, to be ice-free between mid-July and mid-September.
Four weeks ago, tourists had to be evacuated from Baffin Island’s Auyuittuq National Park in northern Canada because of flooding from thawed glaciers.
Surprise, not the 1st time in history.
http://omniclimate.wordpress.com/2008/09/01/was-there-less-arctic-ice-in-1932/
Perhaps, but I’d like to see more specific data on the issue you are reporting, which seems to be one mere event based largely on circumstantial evidence. Satellite data is concrete and there are numerous other factors in addition to the newest satellite data which points to global warming. Furthermore, there has been a progression in Arctic melting, and it’s not a one-time event. Global warming is occurring. I have seen my childhood home change over time and so have others. The science is clear that the anthropogenic release of carbon dioxide is a dominating factor that warms the earth. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and science has known this for some time.
Here’s an interesting blog by Andrew Revkin (not your average skeptic):
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/open-water-circling-north-pole-not-quite/
I’d recommend staying away from using the Daily Mail as a guide to the real world
:
http://omnologos.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/polar-bears-has-the-daily-mail-just-pulled-a-deceiving-article/
Furthermore, doesn’t anybody remember the NASA report last year stating the 2007 sea ice minimum was NOT linked to global warming?
Thanks Omnologos. I know about the Daily Mail. Obviously, I use such sources at my own risk (it’s my blog), but there are several other members of the press reporting similar headlines. If not an “island,” then it’s close – close enough to fool satellite data, although certain areas may still be impassable. One way or the other, the situation worries me, and the melting either way is alarming . Furthermore, the central issue is that Arctic, Antarctic and glacial ice is melting at quicker rates, and it is due to anthropogenic warming of the earth. For some people, global warming is hard to accept, because it’s a complex issue with enormous consequences. Skeptics should ask questions, but for some it’s easier to accept the status quo that does nothing to investigate or remedy the situation.
But think of the tourism potential. Nome Tropicana, drinks are free!
(we’re all going to broil, aren’t we)
I love global warming! I hate global winter. Let’s so surfing at the north pole:) On a more serious note, does anyone know how I can increase global warming… I drive an SUV 4X4 everywhere and I burn all my hazardous materials and trash. (Especially tires) I’m out of ideas here. How can we speed this global warming thing up?