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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tracks changes in the environment and has released the Arctic Report Card: Update for 2012. Based on multiple observations, the report finds “strong evidence of widespread, sustained change driving Arctic environmental system into new state,” and highlights the following:
Record low snow extent and low sea ice extent occurred in June and September, respectively.
Growing season length is increasing along with tundra greenness and above-ground biomass. Below the tundra, record high permafrost temperatures occurred in northernmost Alaska. Duration of melting was the longest observed yet on the Greenland ice sheet, and a rare, nearly ice sheet-wide melt event occurred in July.
Massive phytoplankton blooms below summer sea ice suggest previous estimates of ocean primary productivity might be ten times too low. Arctic fox is close to extinction in Fennoscandia and vulnerable to further changes in the lemming cycle and the encroaching Red fox.
Severe weather events included extreme cold and snowfall in Eurasia, and two major storms with deep central pressure and strong winds offshore of western and northern Alaska.
This year also marks the first time that there has been less than 4 million square kilometers (1.54 million square miles) of sea ice since satellite observations began in 1979. Visualization here.
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Russia actually looked forward to global warming as it would warm up their northern reaches… areas such as Sibera…
… then the wildfires started in their more temperate zones… and would not stop…
Yes, and my understanding is that there is also much jockeying for position in the race to grab the various industries and resources opened up by the ‘New Arctic.’
Excellent point, thank you.
Well it was Democratic Party leader, Hillary Clinton, who as head of the State Department, initially came forward with the request for permission of the Keystone XL Pipeline to go across some of the more pristine lands of the lower 48. Only once there were enough Republicans back in Congress, did Clinton realize that attempts to stop the Keystone XL Pipeline would be thwarted by her “opponents” on the other side, so only then did Ms Clinton come out and say how much she opposed it.
And the same type of heinous environmentally disastrous regulations get passed around from one bureaucrat’s desk to the others, with regards to State Department involvement, in terms of the Arctic Circle. Right now, there are more mining interests involved within the Arctic Circle than any other point on the planet. If the State Department wanted to slow this activity down, they certainly could do so.
Scientists ten years ago were saying that the Antarctic would be more affected by the Global Climate Change than the Arctic Circle and that proved to be a very inaccurate prediction. Perhaps there is some involvement with HAARP style tomography machinery- that melt the Arctic ice and make it easier to mine minerals and drill for oil. Or maybe the science they were basing their predictions on are wrong. But the Innuit are seeing shifts in weather – it is not even freezing during the winter. And the animals’ are showing body changes, such as seal fur that tears apart far too easily so they don’t need their knives to trim the fur and skins as they work the skins to make their clothing.
Yup, and the race is on to lay claim to the resources, in what is termed “Battle for the Arctic.” Interesting legal issues, some noted in a Russia Today article:
http://rt.com/politics/arctic-sovereignty-rogozin-resources-250/
Thus creating powerful financial interests that will do everything they can to make sure the ice stays melted. With the help of their whores in the political class, of course.
Exactly, the whole thing is sad. From some of the things I have read, there is already military buildup in the Arctic.
I find the great meltdown one of the most scary things ever. Methane gas, dead polar bears, etc.
I agree, Twain, and thank you for commenting.
Good morning again Buttercup. Glad you and you know who are doing much better.
Nothing like a good bacterial colonic to put a Olympic spring in your step. :>)
Now to the Arctic.
The best and most poignant example of the results of the Arctic melt were presented to the world through the riotous movie, ‘The Great race’, 1965.
Contestants in an around the world motor car race (circa 1915) are stranded on a large floating ice berg which is rapidly melting and the contestants are hoping that they can reach land before the berg melts and they sink into the frigid waters and nitrocellulose oblivion.
But it is Jack Lemons (Professor Fate) who screams to Tony Curtis (The Great Leslie) and Natalie Wood (Maggie DuBois) the following admonition to which I direct your attention.
As the berg sinks lower and lower and the water is lapping around the contestant’s ankles, The Great Leslie tells Professor Fate not to worry, for they should reach landfall before the berg completely melts.
To which, Professor Fate loudly retorts (paraphrased): OK, but when the water gets over my upper lip, I sure as hell-fired am going to yell my head off.
Or, as H.L. Mencken once stated:
“Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.“
And,
“The cynics are right nine times out of ten.”
So,now would be an excellent time to corner the market on personal snorkels!
Thanks C-S.
Thank you, we believe that we likely had a round of novovirus.
I suppose the good news is that Mason reports feeling much better, after the “cleansing” that didn’t quite finish him off.
If only the makers of that film had known what was to become a reality in the future…