Sea ice retreat in Arctic worst in thousands of years: study

[Newsjock]

Source: Nunatsiaq News

A major international study of Arctic sea ice has concluded that the recent, record-setting retreat is the worst in thousands of years — a conclusion that challenges skeptics’ claims that the meltdown being witnessed in Canada’s North is probably just the latest low ebb in a historical cycle of ice loss and regeneration.

The new study, involving 18 scientists from five countries and to be published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews, includes data from two Canadian co-authors who interpret historic levels of ice cover from ancient whalebones found throughout the polar region.

... “The current reduction in Arctic ice cover started in the late 19th century, consistent with the rapidly warming climate, and became very pronounced over the last three decades,” the study states. “This ice loss appears to be unmatched over at least the last few thousand years and (is) unexplainable by any of the known natural variabilities.”

The study’s lead author, Ohio State University polar researcher Leonid Polyak, told Canwest News Service on Thursday that predictable, long-term ice-cover changes linked to fluctuations in the Earth’s orbit mean “we should expect more rather than less sea ice” at this time in history.

“The evidence that we have based on the existing data suggests that the current Arctic warming is probably the strongest since at least the middle Holocene — that is approximately 5,000 years,” he said.

Read more: http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/87867_sea_ice_retreat_in_arctic_worst_in_thousands_of_years_study

[SpiralHawk]

1. "This is completely natural." - Rush DraftDodger Limbaugh (R - propagandist)

"Why it's a natural and, um, insignificant as the corporate oil gusher in the Gulf. I mean, the ice in my scotch and soda is just fine. Therefore this 'news' is obviously just more science-based lib-rul facts intended to muddy the picture of the, um, corporate propaganda I pimp relentlessly for a measly $40 million a year in corporate-republicon payola. Pay no attention to the facts, sheeple. Just Assume the Position like good little RepubliBaggers, and STFU."

- Rush DraftDodger Limbaugh (R)

[FarCenter]

2. Daily ice coverage map -- nicely thawing is several areas of the Arctic Ocean

Looks like the Northeast Passage will open this summer for commercial shipping between Asia and Europe. Shorter and safer than the Suez Canal and Mallaca Straits.

[Zoeisright]

3. So, if the creationist freaks think the earth is only 6000 years old,

that would prove global warming!

Unfortunately, they don't have the logical reasoning skills to figure that out.