« Back to story "More Polar Bears Going Hungry What Can We Do?"

Story Comments

Posted by: greenmac 11 months, 2 weeks ago

This page is a permanent archive of the comment below and its replies.
To view this comment in the context of the full discussion for the story, use this link.

All Comments Share Story Report

100%
greenmac11 months, 2 weeks ago

This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »

This is an easier read...and includes simulations.
FTA

As of September 8 2008, Environment Canada analysis indicates that sea ice over the Northern Hemisphere is approaching its minimum of approximately 4.9 million sq. km. which is below normal but still about 0.4 million sq. km. above the record low ice cover in 2007. This will probably make this summer’s sea ice cover the second lowest summer ice cover since hemispheric sea ice records have been kept (at least 50 years). Both the North West Passage (via the Canadian Archipelago) and North East Passage (via the East Siberian Sea) are ice free. (Click here to see a comparison with the last 5-years)"

http://www.socc.ca/seaice/seaice_current_e.cfm

(comment_max_expanded_depth : 55) (comment depth : 9) (recursion depth : 1) (max_comment_reply_depth : 40) (comment_max_render_depth : 55)
Reply
3 Replies

loading ...
- capecoralMComment removed: Retracted by user2 Replies
  - 100%
    greenmac11 months, 2 weeks ago
    
    This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
    
    I believe what you said there is incorrect. The satellite data just ushered in new methods of "viewing" the field. Records have been kept for many years. The thickness of the field is not determined through the use of satellite pictures. Yes the passage has been open over the years but not to extent that we have seen lately.
    
    There were several attempts to get through the passage ...some failed others took years...... yes there were successes...such as the st Roche and Ice breakers as well. To compare the passage today to what was is an unfair comparison and leads people to believe that the passage was ice free way back...not so.
    
    (comment_max_expanded_depth : 55) (comment depth : 11) (recursion depth : 3) (max_comment_reply_depth : 40) (comment_max_render_depth : 55)
    Reply
    1 Reply
    
    loading ...
    - 100%
      greenmac11 months, 2 weeks ago
      
      This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
      
      "While very warm temperatures were also seen in the Arctic in the 1930s, the loss of Arctic sea ice observed in the past 20 years has no precedent in the historical record. For example, the fabled Northwest Passage opened in 2007, an event that has not occurred since at least 1497, and probably for a much longer span of time. Between 1979 (the year satellite imagery of the North Pole first became available) and 2006, Arctic sea ice extent shrunk by about 10% in winter (4% per decade) and 20% in summer (8% per decade). The loss of sea ice, when plotted on a graph (Figure 3), roughly followed a straight line over time. There were a few noisy ups and downs, reflecting colder and warmer years. A trend that approximately follows a straight line is called a "linear" trend. A continued linear summertime 8% per decade loss of sea ice would leave the summertime Arctic Ocean ice-free by 2100. The ocean would still partially freeze in winter, with about 50% of the ocean covered with ice."
      
      (comment_max_expanded_depth : 55) (comment depth : 12) (recursion depth : 4) (max_comment_reply_depth : 40) (comment_max_render_depth : 55)
      Reply
      0 Replies
      
      loading ...