Arctic sea ice melts faster than thought - AP

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Arctic sea ice melts faster than thought

55 minutes ago

BOULDER, Colo. - Arctic sea ice is melting three times faster
than many scientists project, U.S. researchers reported Monday,
just days ahead of the next major international report on climate
change.

Scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and
the University of Colorado in Boulder concluded that Arctic sea
ice has declined at an average rate of about 7.8 percent per
decade between 1953 and 2006.

By contrast, 18 computer models used by the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, a U.N.-sponsored climate research
group, estimated an average rate of decline of 2.5 percent per
decade over the same period, the researchers said.

-snip-

The researchers said their observations indicate the retreat of
summertime Arctic sea ice is about 30 years ahead of the pace
projected by climate models.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070430/ap_on_sc/climate_melting_arctic

[1620rock]

1. Sad...and the beat goes on. eom

[Shoelace]

2. my fear is that it's going to shut down the Gulf Stream

to create another mini ice age. It happened before in the 1400's and when that much fresh water melts, it can easily happen again. Guess all our rants would be a moot point if frozen within a decade or less eh?