Science Forums 2

[CraigD]

Originally Posted by freeztar

Ding! Ding! Ding!



The problem is, it's much more difficult to analyze climate change compared to temp change. AGW is still a convincing theory, but indeed, it does not usually account for outlying climatic effects.

Originally Posted by Flying Binghi

Can somebody please tell Greenpeace ....

Funny video, with a seasonal touch

While all but the most credulous children know no fat guys in red suits and sled-pulling caribou inhabit the Arctic Ocean pack ice, what the video alludes to, the shrinking of the Arctic Ocean icepack, is very real, and makes for dramatic graphics – see Arctic ice levels at record low opening Northwest Passage - Wikinews, the free news source, and this hypography post, which predates the major news by a couple of years. Being as its supporters and staff read and watch the news at least as closely as most people, I’m certain Greenpeace is as aware of it as any group of people.

Though images of drowning polar bears (and now seasick Santas, thank you very much ) dominate the general media concerning the AOPI, many see a positive side to it. Since 2000, many yachtsfolk and some test commercial shipping has made the Northwest Passage, which was impassable and sought-after for centuries, demonstrating that it’s become a viable summer shipping lane. It may within a decade become viable year-round. Though the lack of major population centers that far north diminish business interest in this development, a generation of shippers and yachtsfolk are literally gaining a new ocean, making this IMHO an exciting time to be alive.

I’ve been sending out feelers for the last year for interest in a 2015-ish Arctic cruise. According to some of the most speculative empirical predictions, by then there’ll be clear water all the way to the geographic and magnetic north poles. Regardless of ones vision of the causes and consequences of global climate change, the prospect of reaching the north poles by surface boat is pretty amazing!