Alex Kirby at Climate News Network writes
Antarctic warming could accelerate sea level rise:
The effect of climate change on the world’s two polar regions looks like a stark contrast: the Arctic is warming faster than most of the rest of the Earth, while most of Antarctica appears to remain reassuringly locked in a frigid embrace.
But an international scientific team says the reality is quite different. The Antarctic is warming too, it says, and the southern ice could become the main cause of global sea level rise during this century—far sooner than previously thought.
The study, led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in Germany, found that ice discharge from Antarctica could contribute up to 37 centimetres to global sea levels by 2100.
The study is the first comprehensive estimate of the full range of Antarctica’s potential contribution to global sea level rise based on physical computer simulations. It combines state-of-the-art climate models and observational data with various ice models.
The results of the study—published in the European Geosciences Union’s journal, Earth System Dynamics—reproduce Antarctica’s recent contribution to sea level rise, as observed by satellites over the last two decades.
“If greenhouse gases continue to rise as before, ice discharge from Antarctica could raise the global ocean by an additional 1 to 37 centimetres this century,” says the study’s lead author, Anders Levermann, PIK professor of dynamics of the climate system.
“This is a big range – which is exactly why we call it a risk. Science needs to be clear about the uncertainty, so that decision-makers on the coast and in coastal mega-cities like Shanghai or New York can consider the potential implications in their planning processes.” […]
Antarctica currently contributes less than 10% to global sea level rise and is a relatively minor player in comparison with the impact of the oceans’ increasing thermal expansion and the melting of glaciers. [...]
|
Blast from the Past. At Daily Kos on this date in 2003—Bush to declare war on Iraq:
Okay, this is really funny:
Today President Bush said the situation in Iraq had deteriorated to the point where he had no choice "but to declare war on that country."
"I've just become aware that good people are dying out there. Terrorists run rampant, killing people, blowing up oil pipelines, wreaking havoc, maybe just plain reeking. They've got to be stopped."
Bush said that he had recently learned that since May 1, 2003, Iraq has become the "number one nexus of the terrorist activities in the world," and he called it "the nexus of the axis of evil," speaking from his ranch in Texas.
He said that it was a difficult decision but he had "no choice" given the state of the country at this time.
"Whoever is running that country has allowed it to turn into a hornet's nest that threatens the stability of the Middle East, and with it, the safety and security of the United States, and of the world."
|
Priceless. |
Tweet of the Day
If you think Muslims aren't condemning ISIS, it's not because Muslims aren't condemning ISIS. It's because you're not listening to Muslims.
— @LibyaLiberty
]
On today's
Kagro in the Morning show encore performance, we relive the August 21, 2013 experience! We start the day by ribbing Ted Cruz & his base with birtherism & conspiracy theory! Because liberty!
Joan McCarter joins in the fun, reminding us that Cruz is still going full steam ahead on his government shutdown scheme. Also: Rick Perry negotiating for federal health care funds; filibuster nonsense;
WSJsays the government's capturing 75% of web traffic; a heads-up on the return of zombie SOPA/PIPA.
BuzzFeed on the NRA's massive gun owner database and No Labels as a whitewash operation. Finally, a clever WalMart protest hits the CEO for his taxpayer-funded hobby.
High Impact Posts. Top Comments