Earth's past points to future melting

[RedEarth]

Groups of scientists studying ancient climate, tweaking computer models of future climate and even listening to earthquakes add to the evidence that global warming is melting polar ice, according to a series of papers in this week's issue of the journal Science.

At the current rate of rising temperatures, by the year 2100 Arctic summers could be as warm as they were 130,000 years ago. Back then, in a time known as the last interglacial, the oceans were 20 feet higher than they are now.

That does not mean the researchers are predicting a 20-foot ocean rise by the end of this century; more like a couple of feet, they think. But such a warming is expected to accelerate melting of the polar ice and could lead to considerable additional sea-level rise, they said.

For example:


At current rate that Earth's temperature is rising, by 2100 it will probably be 4 degrees warmer than it is now, with the Arctic at least as warm as it was 130,000 years ago, reports a research group led by Jonathan T. Overpeck of the University of Arizona.

Computer models indicate that warming could raise the average temperature in parts of Greenland above freezing for multiple months and could have a substantial impact on melting of the polar ice sheets, according to researchers led by Bette Otto-Bliesner of the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Melting could raise sea levels by 1 foot to 3 feet over the next 100 years to 150 years, she said.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/03/23/polar.icemelt.ap/index.html

[CoffeeCat]

1. I think we're gonna need a bigger boat!

I feel so helpless.

The assholes in charge don't care.