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Location: Cromarty | Forum members might be interested to see the latest from WWF on this - cut and pasted from
http://www.wwf.org.uk/news_feed.cfm?4092/Why-tackling-global-warmin...
Why tackling global warming is more urgent than ever
20 July 2010
Did the UK’s cold weather last winter make you wonder if climate change is really happening? Wonder no more. The period from March to May this year was actually the hottest, globally, since records began in 1880. The extent of sea ice melt in the Arctic is hitting a new high too. It’s all a timely reminder that we need urgent action to slow the carbon emissions that fuel global warming.
From March-May 2010, the average surface temperature of the Earth – based on land and sea temperatures – was 14.4°C (or 58°F).
That’s the warmest ever on record for the time of year. And 0.73°C above the 20th century average temperature of 13.7°C.
This latest data comes from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), who provide a monthly climate analysis to US government, business and community leaders. We hope they use the information wisely!
Warmest Arctic ever – and why it matters
The situation in the Arctic is even more acute. During May and June 2010, Arctic sea ice melted 50% faster than the average rate for the time of year, according to the National Snow & Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado. In May, the entire extent of sea ice cover was 3.7% below the 1979-2000 average.
It can be hard to appreciate the scale of this change. We’re not just talking about the odd chunk of ice here. Since the end of March, the extent of sea ice in the Arctic has reduced by a staggering 3,245,156 km2. That’s an area roughly half the size of the entire USA.
Of course it’s normal for Arctic sea ice to decline during the ‘melt season’, which typically lasts from March till September – but this year the loss has been unusually fast.
In June 2010, ice extent declined by 88,000km2 per day – that’s an area about the size of Austria every single day. This is more than 50% above the average rate of decline – the fastest ever measured for June.
Why does it matter? The vast Arctic ice cap is a protective white lid on top of our world. It acts like a giant mirror, reflecting much of the sun’s radiation back into space. It helps the Earth’s climate stay on an even keel, and our weather patterns predictable.
The Arctic is the northern hemisphere’s cooling system, and what happens there has a big impact on the wider world – including the UK.
The Arctic is a vital early-warning system for evidence of global warming. The world simply can’t afford to ignore the clear signals we’re seeing.
Why polar bears need sea ice too
Polar bears rely on the sea ice for catching seals (their main source of food), resting, and breeding. WWF’s Arctic team have been monitoring polar bears for many years, using satellite-tracking collars on the bears, and have noticed significant changes in behaviour this year.
For instance, in the Churchill area on Hudson Bay in Canada, some of the bears that would still usually be out on the sea ice catching seals in early July have already been spotted onshore – a good three weeks ahead of normal. This reflects the fast early retreat of sea ice this year.
The bears will be trying hard to conserve as much energy as possible in the relatively sweltering conditions. If the ice melts earlier and re-forms later than normal, the bears have to use up more of their stored body fat to survive (as much as 14kg of extra fat) – increasing the likelihood of declining body condition and even death.
If the winter freeze-up is delayed again, as it was last year, some bears could have to cope with a longer fasting period than normal, which research suggests could cause a major jump in mortality.
The main way to protect polar bear habitat is to do all we can to slow global warming – that means slashing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. |
Why tackling global warming is more urgent than ever