Arctic becomes an island due to melting ice, enters "death spiral"

This or That?

CFLs or LEDs?

Arctic becomes an island due to melting ice, enters "death spiral"

by Patricia Mayville-Cox (Subscribe to Patricia Mayville-Cox's posts)
Sep 2nd 2008 @ 9:02AM

Filed under: Climate Change

Print Email More

The North Pole has become island for the first time in human history, and it is now possible to circumnavigate the Arctic ice cap. This was revealed by satellite images taken last week, showing that both the northwest and northeast passages are now open due to melting ice. These passages have not been open, simultaneously, since the beginning of the last Ice Age 125,000 years ago.

Mark Serreze, a specialist at the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center, said the images suggest that the Arctic might have entered a "death spiral" caused by climate change. Shipping companies are already planning to use the new routes.

In other Arctic ice news, according to the Telegraph article, tourists had to be evacuated from a park on Baffin Island because of flooding caused by melting glaciers and polar bears have been spotted off Alaska trying to swim hundreds of miles to the retreating ice cap.

Comments [2]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-05-2008 @ 6:51AM

David Gerard said...

Just think of the future of arctic tourism! Nome Tropicana, drinks are free!

(oh ghod, we're all fried)

9-05-2008 @ 12:37PM

Angela Mckenzie said...

http://www.dailytech.com/Arctic+Sees+Massive+Gain+in+Ice+Coverage/article12851.htm

I live in Northern Canada. Now i agree we are polluting but we had record snowfall last year, moisture levels are up. We had a average year re heat better than last year. and the article link kinda says the opposite to yours. my ex is a mountie in Yellowknife and he tells me there seems to be as much Ice as last year or more. So It all seems very inconclusive

Green Daily Video

Green Daily Series

Tip of the Day

Resist the stacks of napkins given from fast-food joints and eateries.

Learn More

Featured Galleries

Greenland - On the Edge of Global Warming

10 things you didn't know you could compost

Puma/Atmos Endangered Species Collection

Green Daily bloggers (30 days)

#	Blogger	Posts
1	Cat Lincoln	22
2	Josh Loposer	21
3	Kristen Seymour	1

Featured Galleries

Sites We Love

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

Reviews: What's New This Week Twitter Follow Friday on ParentDish! Diabetic Student Wins Fight For Extra Gym Classes	Heidi Klum Hits The Runway After Baby Thanksgiving Dinner Satisfaction And Perfect Portion Control: Time to Celebrate Cheesy Workout Video Round-up
Audrey Hepburn's Wardrobe for Sale New Moon Chic: Vampire-Inspired Fashion to Celebrate 'Twilight Saga' Eva Mendes Steams Up Calvin Klein Ad Campaign... Again!	Arby's Lures Sports Fans With Free Food Men Survive Two Months at Sea Eating Driftwood and Coconut Shells In Defense of Guy Fieri
Celebs' Most Anticipated TV Season Finales What If Twitter Existed When... Miley Cyrus 'Deeply Saddened' by Bus Driver's Death	Playing Baby Otters; Baby-Making Manatees New Kid on the Bus Georgia Mascot Uga VII Dies at Age 4

Green Daily

This or That?