Repeat after me: global warming is a myth, global warming is a myth, global warming i

[Jerry Lewis]

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=total-arctic-sea-ice-at-record

Total Arctic Sea Ice at Record Low in 2010: Study

500 MILES FROM THE NORTH POLE (Reuters) - The minimum summertime volume of Arctic sea ice fell to a record low last year, researchers said in a study to be published shortly, suggesting that thinning of the ice had outweighed a recovery in area.
The study estimated that last year broke the previous, 2007 record for the minimum volume of ice, which is calculated from a combination of sea ice area and thickness.
The research adds to a picture of rapid climate change at the top of the world that could see the Arctic Ocean ice-free within decades, spurring new oil exploration opportunities but possibly also disrupted weather patterns far afield and a faster rise in sea levels.

 

[30A Skunkape]

You are looking to start a drunken brawl?

 

[Em]

I wonder how far back in time the records go. My guess is not too far. We've been through periods when our coastline was miles inland, likely up into Alabama and Georgia, where Walton County was under water. This would have been caused by the warming of the polar ice.

On the flip side, we've also been through periods where much sea water was pulled up into ice, moving our shoreline further out to sea from today's shoreline. Today, we are somewhere in the middle of an ever-changing world, if you look at only the last twenty thousand years. Looking further back, we are no where close to the middle.

When I hear people talking about changing it back (whatever "it" happens to be) to the way it was, I always wonder what they mean, since the world has been changing for a long time and is never the same way twice.

 

[Jim Tucker]

For me going back would mean a healthy atmosphere and the survival of amazing ecosystems across the planet. And not drowning cities along the coast where 90% of the population has decided it's nice to live.

We're not talking about gentle geologic time here. We're talking about decimating life on earth. As keystone species start disappearing in select environments, many other species in those ecosystems will topple like dominoes. Sure, the earth will move on in amazing ways but in the meantime billions of people will suffer and die from drought, disease, and starvation.

Have a nice day SoWal.

 

[30A Skunkape]

For me going back would mean a healthy atmosphere and the survival of amazing ecosystems across the planet. And not drowning cities along the coast where 90% of the population has decided it's nice to live.

We're not talking about gentle geologic time here. We're talking about decimating life on earth. As keystone species start disappearing in select environments, many other species in those ecosystems will topple like dominoes. Sure, the earth will move on in amazing ways but in the meantime billions of people will suffer and die from drought, disease, and starvation.

Have a nice day SoWal.

I'll wager disease, starvation and human misery correlate inversely with CO2 levels. When we reach the tipping point, ie, no more ice is available for boat drinks, l think you'll get some SOWALians interested.

 

[Kurt]

I'll wager disease, starvation and human misery correlate inversely with CO2 levels.

Interesting thought Skunky. If you mean technology and knowledge has moved us forward I would agree. However there are always 2 sides to the coin. No? Disease may be on the run from smart folks recently but do you think at some point we'll reach a tripping point with new bugs we can't control very well, or maybe that we even create ourselves? Starvation is going to be a problem unless we start growing hamburger as I've heard is a big hope. And as far as misery, is it possible that the more technology we have the more oppressed the human spirit becomes?

 

[BeachSiO2]

Here's another perspective from a little longer time period- up to 60 Million years ago.

 

[beachFool]

Yeah but the earth is only 6000 years old.

 

[scooterbug44]

Since the US life expectancy is going down, I do think we may have reached the point where our "advances" have either peaked or are working against us.

We are creating some nasty bugs through our overuse of antibiotics and unclean hospital and livestock operations, not to mention all the chemicals and plastics that are poisoning us and causing major increases in health problems.

And while I do not necessarily agree on the global warming conclusions, there is no doubt in my mind that we are changing the planet at an extreme rate - and that is never good.

 

[BeachSiO2]

Yeah but the earth is only 6000 years old.

Yep, that sure throws a wrench in it doesn't it