It seems unthinkable, but for the first time in human history, ice is on course to disappear entirely from the North Pole this year.
The disappearance of the Arctic sea ice, making it possible to reach the Pole sailing in a boat through open water, would be one of the most dramatic – and worrying – examples of the impact of global warming on the planet. Scientists say the ice at 90 degrees north may well have melted away by the summer.
“From the viewpoint of science, the North Pole is just another point on the globe, but symbolically it is hugely important. There is supposed to be ice at the North Pole, not open water,” said Mark Serreze of the US National Snow and Ice Data Centre in Colorado…
“The issue is that, for the first time that I am aware of, the NorthPole is covered with extensive first-year ice – ice that formed last autumn and winter. I’d say it’s even-odds whether the North Pole melts out,” said Dr Serreze.
All’s right with the world. Eh?
This is the earth’s attempt to shake us off- like so many fleas on a dog’s backside. But we’re tougher than that.
#61 – MikeN,
China is now the leading emitter in the world.
True. So? Want to help China reduce emissions? Get Americans to change our consumerist ways. What do you think China is doing with all that power? A large part of it is to make shit for us.
Aren’t externalities grand?
We can send all of our manufacturing jobs overseas so our rich can get richer and our middle class can go away. And, at the same time, we can make it look like China is the problem. We can just shove all that CO2 output onto their balance sheet.
Great deal for everyone!! (except those who used to work in manufacturing and now work as french fry clerks, oh well.)
#64 – Misanthropic Scott
Good post. People who are really concerned with C02 emission ought to look at what they’re buying, what it’s made from and where it comes from. But most people just look at the price… and that’s why Mall-Wart is still around.
http://www.worldclimatereport.com/index.php/2008/06/20/finnish-finish-global-warming/
save Santa. blame it all on global warming, we were burning hot coals when the ice age happened thats why it melted down, we were also driving cars during the ice age causing it to melt down. so its all our fault. It has nothing to do with earths natural planetary activity.(Some may not understand sarcasm.)Our Lives are lived in a hostile environment we should get used to it, our existence is mere luck along with every other element created in space and time. We are wasting our short lived experience in life debating on philosophies.