Scientists link frozen spring to dramatic Arctic sea ice loss

[xchrom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/25/frozen-spring-arctic-sea-ice-loss


Arctic ice loss adds heat to the ocean and atmosphere which shifts the position of the jet stream, which affects weather in the northern hemisphere. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

Climate scientists have linked the massive snowstorms and bitter spring weather now being experienced across Britain and large parts of Europe and North America to the dramatic loss of Arctic sea ice.

Both the extent and the volume of the sea ice that forms and melts each year in the Arctic Ocean fell to an historic low last autumn, and satellite records published on Monday by the National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) in Boulder, Colorado, show the ice extent is close to the minimum recorded for this time of year.

"The sea ice is going rapidly. It's 80% less than it was just 30 years ago. There has been a dramatic loss. This is a symptom of global warming and it contributes to enhanced warming of the Arctic," said Jennifer Francis, research professor with the Rutgers Institute of Coastal and Marine Science.

According to Francis and a growing body of other researchers, the Arctic ice loss adds heat to the ocean and atmosphere which shifts the position of the jet stream – the high-altitude river of air that steers storm systems and governs most weather in northern hemisphere.

[liberal N proud]

1. Yesterday I had to listen to a bunch of climate change deniers laugh at global warming

They were assured that the snow we are getting proves there is no global warming and that it was a scam by Al Gore to get rich.

As I sat there and listened, it became clear to me why the company I work for is failing as these were senior level management.

[LiberalEsto]

2. The problem is the phrase "global warming"

We should push use of the phrase "climate change" because it's far more accurate.

[Edim]

3. No, it's not more accurate.

It's AGW, caused mostly by anthropogenic CO2, allegedly.

[LiberalEsto]

4. AGW? What does that mean? nt

[Edim]

5. Anthropogenic Global Warming. nt

[LiberalEsto]

6. Thanks.

Incidentally, when I mentioned using the term climate change, I was talking about framing. For example, the way the republicans have framed cuts to Social Security and other safety net programs as "entitlement cuts". As long as they keep using the term "global warming", they joke about it every time there's a freak snowstorm or a cold spell, trying to cast more doubt on this critical issue.

[liberal N proud]

7. They had an explanation for why it is now called climate change too

It got dumber and dumber as the conversation progressed.

[chervilant]

8. Some of my friends,

while watching the "news" last night, started snarking about global warming, making it clear they're deniers (I had suspected, but was unsure). I asked them if they were aware that the lack of Arctic ice had pushed the jet stream further south and resulted in severe winter weather across much of the US and Europe. I got typical denier responses:

"I've seen 15 inches of snow here, at the end of March!"

"I don't know nothin' about no jet stream, but I shore know it ain't warm!"

"I don't believe that global warming crap!"

There are lots of under-educated folks in these hills, and they resent being told stuff they don't understand.