Extreme Melting in the Arctic
By Steve Kinsman, 28th Jun 2012 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutNewsEnvironment
Climate change is increasing rapidly, and the powers that be are doing nothing about it.
Nero fiddles
At the Rio+20 environmental conference just held in Rio de Janiero, there was absolutely no progress made in regard to climate change as participating countries argued over procedure and rules, accomplishing nothing of merit. Corporate interests continue to have the overriding influence on leaders and politicians who continue to do nothing to address the problem. The main countries standing in the way of progress are the United States, Canada, India, China and Brazil.
The arctic melts
In the meantime, a report issued today, June 28, 2012, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) issued its annual report. Recent ice loss rates, according to the NSIDC, have been in the range of 38,600 to 57,900- square miles, which is more than double the average climatological change rate. "The main contributors to the unusually rapid ice loss to this point in June are the disappearance of most of the winter sea ice in the Bering Sea, rapid ice loss in the Barents and Kara Seas, and early development of open water in the Beaufort and Laptev Seas north of Alaska and Siberia," the report explains. The report goes on to explain that the snow cover in the far north is "nearly gone, earlier than normal, allowing the coastal land to warm faster."
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), in its most recent Arctic Report Card, states that the changes in the Arctic are "profound," and that "it is very likely that major Arctic changes will continue in years to come, with increasing climatic, biological and social impacts."
Polls taken in the United States consistently show that over forty percent of Americans think that climate change is a non-issue. The reason for this is that people like Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma, big oil's best friend in Congress, despite all the evidence to the contrary, calls climate change "the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people."
It's beginning to look like we will never learn.
Link:
Vandana Shiva: "Making Peace with the Earth is a Survival Imperative"
Photo and chart from commondreams.org
Comments
28th Jun 2012 (#)
Oh... Here we go again. More of this Commie, left-wing, liberal make-believe. You've gotta be kidding me!... (Just as I am kidding you, Steve! :-})
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28th Jun 2012 (#)
Yeah, I know. A bunch of Chicken Littles.
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28th Jun 2012 (#)
In this case, Can I be a commie, too? :-)) Look at the bright side, Steve, David, at least we aren't hypocrites. :-)))
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28th Jun 2012 (#)
A hypocrite you are most assuredly not, Jerry.
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28th Jun 2012 (#)
Extremely informative (PUN intended) and Ill join the witty club with Jerry and David and you. Thanks for always speaking up on relevant issues, Steve.
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28th Jun 2012 (#)
Thank you rama devi. I appreciate that.
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1st Jul 2012 (#)
We lose our way on irrelevant issues, semantics than getting to the core. We are already at a point of no return. Our tails are already on fire but we act blissfully ignorant still! Rather than subsidize fossil fuels, why not do the right thing - is the question that the common folks ask and there is no answer yet. Another issue well brought out, Steve - thanks - siva
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1st Jul 2012 (#)
Thank you Siva.
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