Global warming hits all antarctica

[izzix]

Global warming hitting all of Antarctica: scientists

1 hour 1 min ago
AFP Richard Ingham


Scientists on Wednesday unveiled evidence to suggest global warming is affecting all of Antarctica, home to the world's mightiest store of ice. Skip related content
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The average temperature across the White Continent has been rising for the last half century and the finger of blame points at the greenhouse effect, they said.

The research, published in the British journal Nature, takes a fresh look at one of the great unknowns -- and dreads -- in climate science.

Any significant thaw of Antarctica could drown many coastal cities and delta regions. Bigger than Australia, Antarctica holds enough ice to raise global sea levels by 57 metres (185 feet).

Previous monitoring has already pinpointed the Antarctic Peninsula -- the tongue that juts 800 kilometres (500 miles) towards South America -- as a "hotspot" where hundreds of glaciers have been in retreat since the start of the decade.

But until now the news has been reassuring regarding Antarctica's two massive icesheets.

Indeed, a common belief is that the icy slabs have even cooled slightly and possibly thickened, partly in response to the chilling seasonal effects of the ozone hole over the South Pole.

Not so, the new study says.

It calculates that West Antarctica has been warming by 0.17 degrees Celsius (0.3 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade over the past 50 years.

This is even more than the Peninsula, where the average rise is estimated as 0.11 C (0.2 F) per decade.

There has indeed been some cooling in East Antarctica, but this was mainly in the autumn, and occurred as a result of the ozone hole. There was also a period of strong cooling between 1970 and 2000.

But, overall and when calculated over 50 years, East Antarctica has warmed too -- by an average of 0.1 C (0.18 F) per decade, a figure that the authors describe as "significant".

"The sense of 'Oh, it's cooling in East Antarctica,' is based essentially on the 1970-2000 period, and it's warmed since then -- although we don't have a lot of data for the most recent period -- and it definitely warmed prior to the 1970s," Eric Steig, a professor of Earth and space sciences at the University of Washington, told AFP.

"When you look at the big picture on that, the average [trend in East Antarctica] is actually warming."

Put together, the average temperature rise for Antarctica is put at 0.12 C (0.22 F) per decade, the study said.

The work is based on a 25-year archive of observations by satellites measuring the intensity of infrared light radiated by the snow pack. These were buttressed by data from automated weather stations deployed around the Antarctic coast since 1957.

The paper does not venture any estimate about ice loss or predict the icesheets' stability, but says only global warming can logically explain the temperature trend.

"This shouldn't cause anyone to worry more than they did before. But what it does do is kill off the rather silly and careless statements out there from some people to the effect that Antarctica's cooling," said Steig.

Such comments "put into question all the other science that supports the idea that there is warming and it's human beings' fault," he said.

There could be bad news a few decades down the road, when efforts to fix the ozone hole bear fruit, added Steig.

"The hole could be eliminated by the middle of this century. If that happens, all of Antarctica could begin warming on a par with the rest of the world," he warned.

The West Antarctic icesheet, which holds enough ice to boost global sea levels by up to six metres (19.5 feet), lies at an average height of about 1,800 metres (6,000 feet).

The East Antarctic icesheet, divided from West Antarctica by a mountain chain, has an average elevation of around 3,000 metres (10,000 feet), which makes it not only bigger but also colder.

If it melted in its entirety -- something that most scientists discount except only as a very distant doomsday scenario -- today's coastlines would be drowned to a height of 50 metres (165 feet).

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090121/ts ... ff8aa.html

[TJ]

Even if the article's (carefully selected) facts have been proven, their global warning bias is evident and the reason for this blatent distortion of the Antartic's weather.

If you do some googling you will notice that you must look hard to find any article that will even include the term "Ice Age." The Ice Age cycle has been warming the Earth for the last 10,000 years or so. The theory of many repeating Ice Ages has been proven by scientific evidence and is certainly still the main force that warms and cools the Earth. The Man-made global warming hypothis has yet to be proven, and in fact is maintained because professional global warming agents simply shout down or fire any critics of their cash cow scam.

It is not hard to find articles that testify that research shows the Antartic has been cooling for decades: "Antarctica overall has cooled measurably during the last 35 years - despite a global average increase in air temperature of 0.06 degrees Celsius during the 20th century - making it unique among the Earth's continental landmasses, according to a paper published today in the online version of Nature." http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/200200 ... _sys.shtml

"The models used as a the basis for the proposed Kyoto treaty predict that the polar regions, both North and South, would be the first to see increased warming due to greenhouse gases. But now apparently the opposite is true, at least for Antarctica.

As a footnote to all this, the Larsen B ice shelf recently collapsed and headed out to sea, producing crows of "I told you so" from global warming scaremongers. But at the same time, five other ice sheets that have been studied for years seem to be increasing in size. Since most of the continent is getting colder, the total amount of ice apparently is increasing, not decreasing, regardless of what one ice shelf does or does not do." http://capmag.com/article.asp?ID=1756

[laphanphon]

Any significant thaw of Antarctica could drown many coastal cities and delta regions. Bigger than Australia, Antarctica holds enough ice to raise global sea levels by 57 metres (185 feet).

hmm, back to Philly or move to Korat for that beachfront property?

average of 0.1 C (0.18 F) per decade, a figure that the authors describe as "significant".

wow, break out the sunscreen, i'm burning up already............please. i'll be dead in 20 years and it might go up 2 degrees.

only global warming can logically explain the temperature trend.

when you look for one thing, that's usually what you find. i'm sure there is a book or tv program in the works.

most scientists discount except only as a very distant doomsday scenario

waterworld...........kevin costner movie was a documentary

This shouldn't cause anyone to worry more than they did before

yea right, keeps me up every night.

efforts to fix the ozone hole bear fruit

oh F***, Bush and Cheney gone, how is Haliburton going to get that contract?

[Galee]

With the ongoing World Economic Crisis, Global Warming is the least of my concerns.

[jackspratt]

With the ongoing World Economic Crisis, Global Warming is the least of my concerns.

Then you ought to be thankful you don't live in Victoria.

Scores feared dead in Victorian blazes

Inferno ... Firefighters are continuing to work on 11 major fire fronts across Victoria. (AAP: Simon Mossman)

It is feared more than 40 people have died as ferocious bushfires sweep across much of country Victoria and New South Wales.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009 ... ion=justin

[mortiboy]

I hear its too late!Even if emissions were halted now, the damage is done.Its irreversible We're all doomed!

[FrazeeDK]

Hole in the Antarctic Ozone layer???? ur... didn't we have doomsday movies years ago because the "huge" hole int he Antarctic Ozone layer was going to allow in unprecedented amounts of UV that would toast anyone outside??? And.... it closed of it's own accord although "Greenies" probably would say the ban on CFC's "fixed" it..

The article doesn't seem to address a pertinent question.. Even with the purported minimal annual raise in temps in the Antarctic, what issssss the average temperature down there.. Well here's a link to some weather station's temps.. the recorded high IN 1974!! 59F.. Mean annual temps ranging from Summer -5 F to Winter -94F.. Hmm.. nothing above freezing temps in mean temps... I suppose various ocean currents around the periphery of Antarctica could bring in relatively "warming" waters that would cause various ice shelfs to melt...

Truthfully though.. with the internet if you want both sides of the story, Googling various weather topics on Antarctica can give you a more balanced viewpoint..



http://www.antarcticconnection.com/anta ... ndex.shtml
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coldest Temp:
-129°F (-89°C) on July 21, 1983
Location: Vostok Station
Warmest Temp:
+59°F (+15°C) on Jan 5, 1974
Location: Vanda StationMean Temps:
Winter: -40 to -94°F (-40 to -70°C)
Summer: -5 to -31°F (-15 to -35°C)

[FrazeeDK]

A very clear analysis of Antarctic weather http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctic ... arming.htm

[mortiboy]

Sare we saying everything is honki dori? No problem? everything's fine.Everyone can continue burning fossil fuel. using petrol/diesel vehicles,burning forest to make way for fields of non producing oxygen ect?
Why all this "fuss" about global warming? Whats the plot?
Am I wrong to worry?,not for me .I will be long gone. But I kinda love this third rock from the sun.MY KIDS, KIDS will have the end results!and nobody cares.

[Laan Yaa Mo]

We're all doomed! - mortiboy

Yes, this begins the moment that we are born. There is no escape!

[mortiboy]

Yes !.....You cant save a life........only postpone it!

[BKKSTAN]

I think we are all doomed to climate change,part of the worlds evolutionary process,not the end of life on the planet!

Anyway ,i think that there is very little we can do about in the next few hundred years except slow the effect by a minute amount.

The nondeveloped Nations are not going to do anything but try to develop their economies ,wealth and power!

We should spend our wealth on establishing independence upon foreign sources for our needs!That is not to say we should isolate ourselves from trade,just not need the imports!

The sooner the developed countries spend their wealth and power,the sooner we will be dancing to the new powers fiddle!

In my view,it is imperative to stay ahead of those countries in these areas,because there is no chance of practicing ''fairness and equality'' with the human race,that are no different than pigs at the trough!

When they perceive us as weaker than them or weak in our survival attitude,their grateful smiles will turn into agressive domination.Everyone wants to be ''top dog'' or ''head pig''!

For those who think that this is a selfish view,I agree!But I believe it is either them or us,as I think almost all people do,by their actions.Very few are willing to sacrifice or change places with someone from these underdeveloped countries,only willing to take their gains to live more cheaply in their retirement,yet not suffer economicly!

There is always some people that act out the roles of saviour,but i never see it as altruist ,it is always to fill a need within them,not really about others!

My attitude about people who ''jump on the stage'' is ,what are their real motives,what are they truly trying to gain for themselves?Applause,wealth,increased status,sense of power and leadership,stroking the ego,guilt relief etc. etc.?

I want to be the leader so I can help the human race.

Yeah sure,BS,BS,BS,get real !

[Ba Bob]

NEWS FLASH

The earth has been warming since the ice age

[saint]

NEWS FLASH

The earth has been warming since the ice age

there is no question this statement is correct . what is worrying many people is the increase in the rate the climate is changing at the present time , how much of that increase results from mans greed and alleged progress over the last 50 years or so . i think there is now no question that man has helped to accelerate the speed of global warming . what scientist are now saying is time is running out and unless changes are made to improve the way we pollute our atmosphere in the next 50 years , it will be too late and the damage done will be irriversable . on a purely selfish note i wont be here to suffer the affects , but my children and thier children unfortunately will . i personally dont want to be classed as the generation that could of helped, but was just to appethetic to care . and all the time the world argues about whos fault it is , and who should be doing what , the situation deteriates .

[arjay]

The earth has been warming since the ice age

there is no question this statement is correct . what is worrying many people is the increase in the rate the climate is changing at the present time , how much of that increase results from mans greed and alleged progress over the last 50 years or so . i think there is now no question that man has helped to accelerate the speed of global warming . what scientist are now saying is time is running out and unless changes are made to improve the way we pollute our atmosphere in the next 50 years , it will be too late and the damage done will be irriversable . on a purely selfish note i wont be here to suffer the affects , but my children and thier children unfortunately will . i personally dont want to be classed as the generation that could of helped, but was just to appethetic to care . and all the time the world argues about whos fault it is , and who should be doing what , the situation deteriates

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

I couldn't agree more. Ok yes, there are natural climate changes and yes we are warming since the last ice age, but man's action is accelerating that warming and he/we have the ability (if not the inclination) to do something about it!

[WBU ALUM]

It's never been proven that man has anything to do with climate change. It's just a hypothesis by some scientists and is now being used by environmentalists and socialists to take more money from productive people by way of taxes. So far, they haven't been able to hoodwink the US Congress, but it's getting closer every session.

Do I recycle? Yes. Do I do my best to conserve energy? Yes. But I'm not going to sit here and believe that carbon dioxide is a harmful greenhouse gas.

[BobHelm]

It's never been proven that man has anything to do with climate change.

And just how could that be "proved" may I ask. Only by having a world exactly like earth but without man - some thing not currently available.
It is, however, probably that man is having a significant impact on the rate of change in climate conditions. Just by the sheer numbers of humanity on earth & how many/most of them change the conditions that they live in.
Very few scientists now 'nay say' that there is not a change happening and most agree that humanity is having some impact on the rate of change - although many disagree on that impact.
Even the US motor industry stopped funding the "carbon dioxide emissions are good for you" lobbies a couple of years ago.

[WBU ALUM]

And just how could that be "proved" may I ask. Only by having a world exactly like earth but without man - some thing not currently available.

Not for me to prove or to figure out. I'm not making the claim.

The "believers" need to come up with some factual evidence that can be communicated and understood in simple language, especially if someone is going to propose taxing me for it.

[BobHelm]

Not for me to prove or to figure out. I'm not making the claim.:

And I was just pointing out the absurdity of your claim that it has to be "proven" and shown to be 100% true, something which is impossible - as are most scientific, religious, economic & political theories.
The believers in non government interference have lost the argument - just by sticking their heads in the sand and saying "it is not so" without coming up with an alternative strategy.
To deny something because it causes problems with your beliefs is foolish - especially in the growing weight of evidence continually suggests it is probably true. Either the beliefs are correct and they offer an alternative strategy or they are incorrect.

[WBU ALUM]

And I guess I'll have to point out the absurdity of the claim that it is happening without evidence.