Arctic Summer COuld Be Ice-Free By 2040

Simulating the climate with computer models, researchers
analyzed how global warming could affect sea-ice in the future.
The results, published in the Dec. 12 issue of Geophysical
Research Letters, indicate that if greenhouse gases continue
being released at their current rate, most of the Arctic basin
will be ice free in September by 2040.
Additionally, winter ice, now about 12 feet thick, will become
less than 3 feet thick.

The rapid meltdown, result of a warming globe, will itself accel-
erate the heating of the oceans, according to the latest study.
"As the ice retreats, the ocean transports more heat to the
Arctic and the open water absorbs more sunlight, further
accelerating the rate of warming and leading to the loss of
more ice," said study lead author, Marika Holland, a scientists
from NCAR.
"This is a positive feedback loop with dramatic implications for
the entire Arctic region."

"We have already witnessed major losses in sea ice, but our
research suggests that the decrease over the next few decades
could be far more dramatic than anything that has happened
so far," Holland said.
"These changes are surprisingly rapid."


SOURCE:
LiveScience.com

As we understand Global Warming more and more, we start
to see that our previous theories are wrong.

If we, as a species, we're to reduce our greenhouse gas
emissions, the ice will melt at a much slower rate.


Comments, Opinions?

i agree that we are deffinately playing a part in Global Warming, but i thing the all the hype about "we should be doing this and that" is actually to stop the longer term panic of the people, keeping us busy so we cant see whats really happening.

Warming is happening almost proportionaly, all over the solar system.
This is slightly more unearving as there's not a whole lot we can do about that.

heres a basic chart to reiterate the point...

Anomic of Nihilism so your saying that global warming is in fact a system wide phenominon? Hmmm interesting.

Anyone ever wonder if this is just the death throws from the last ice age? Just wondering. I believe that the Earth was pretty warm back in the paliolithic era. but I could be wrong wouldent be the first time.

And yes Anomic of Nihilism that could be due to the theory that as stars age they grow larger. Eventualy the sun will engulf the Earth. of course we will all be long gone by then. Eventualy the sun will run out of fuel for its reaction and collapse in on itself or explode. Personaly I am hoping for an explosion. Super Novas rock!