Average air temperatures were so high last month at a monitoring station on the north coast of Alaska that computers rejected the readings as flawed. But there was nothing wrong with the data or the instrument that recorded it. Rather, temperatures had soared because of shrinking sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, one of the more obvious effects of climate change.
—New York Times
So it’s not just humans that deny climate change. The scientists corrected this problem by changing the computer program — if only it were so easy to change the minds of humans.
December 15, 2017
we have a senior state senator that stands up and declares that global warming is a “hoax.”
it’s the most embarrassing thing to even hear him speak about it.
and of course he votes and supports along the same lines as he believes.
it’s not only sad it’s arrogantly ignorant.
or to use my own word… disgusting.
That must be hard to listen to. 🙁 I’m glad my U.S. Senator has a cooler head. I must say, I don’t listen very much. Too depressing.
earth is changing…it’s happening…what we as humans do about it, isn’t an easy “do”…and even if there is a “do” can it be implemented…because of course many “do(s)” mean huge changes that society doesn’t really want to do, to have on their plate, it might mean something we have started to “like” should not be done…
Some people think even if countries reduced their carbon footprint it wouldn’t be enough. They will have to try geoengineering, with unforeseen consequences. Life goes on, it is never without its challenges.
I am not an alarmist on climate change. I am an acceptantist if that word exists. A modern version of Noah’s Ark will be built and the earth will revive after a massive flood! (Pralaya).
I’m not an alarmist either. At the moment the human population has gotten out of control and something will come along to stop it. The rest of the earth may very well be better off without us. It is not going to be pretty.
PS As far as species survival is concerned, I’m still betting on the cockroaches. 😀
While there may be some cause for concern over sea ice extent and climate change, the current extent is not that unusual.
As the daylight hours get shorter in the Arctic, it gets colder and sea ice extent goes up. Extent this year bottomed out September 13 at 4.636 million square km. On November 15, it was at 9.353 and it is now about 11.756 million square km. https://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/charctic-interactive-sea-ice-graph/ The daily mean temperatures for the Arctic area north of the 80th northern parallel has been below 0°C since September 2. http://ocean.dmi.dk/arctic/meant80n.uk.php
In 2016, ice extent bottomed out at 4.137 and, in 2012, 3.187 million square km., each time within a week or two of the autumn equinox.
Sea ice extent will reach its maximum sometime around the spring equinox.
I’ve been periodically monitoring sea ice extent online for 7 or 8 years now on an irregular basis. Polar weather can have a significant impact. In 2012, for instance, high winds and storms in the arctic caused a lot of the ice to move out of the arctic and subsequently melt in warmer waters, which is partially why the 2012 extent is so low.
I am not alarmed or worried about what sea ice is doing.
wow Mike that’s extensive observances – and it’s good to see – because often there are 2 sides to every story…
and the newsworthy news is always the bad stuff, that is what sells ‘papers…
Mike,
Here is another interesting chart. I assume you are also noticing what is happening to the permafrost.
No sense being alarmed or worried. Some nations are seeing the opportunity in the changes — easier to exploit the abundant natural resources of the arctic.
Cathy,
A lot more than two sides. It’s fascinating stuff.
This one gave me a huge belly laugh. Thanks for that.
As to climate change, it’s always happening. We had the ice age which may be what killed the dinosaurs. Then we had the big melt that, perhaps, caused Noah’s flood. In life, the only constant is change. Acceptance is better for your blood pressure.
I’m glad you laughed too. I burst out laughing when I read the article. 😀
We live in fascinating times. Curiosity is a lot better than fear.