Arctic sea ice larger than U.S. melted this year

DOHA, Qatar An area of Arctic sea ice bigger than the United States melted this year, according the U.N. weather agency, which said the dramatic decline illustrates that climate change is happening "before our eyes."

In a report released at U.N. climate talks in the Qatari capital of Doha, the World Meteorological Organization said the Arctic ice melt was one of a myriad of extreme and record-breaking weather events to hit the planet in 2012. Droughts devastated nearly two-thirds of the United States as well western Russia and southern Europe. Floods swamped West Africa and heat waves left much of the Northern Hemisphere sweltering.

But it was the ice melt that seemed to dominate the annual climate report, with the U.N. concluding ice cover had reached "a new record low" in the area around the North Pole and that the loss from March to September was a staggering 11.83 million square kilometers (4.57 million square miles) -- an area bigger than the United States.

"The alarming rate of its melt this year highlighted the far-reaching changes taking place on Earth's oceans and biosphere," WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said. "Climate change is taking place before our eyes and will continue to do so as a result of the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which have risen constantly and again reached new records."

The dire climate news -- following on the heels of a report Tuesday that found melting permafrost could significantly amplify climate change -- comes as delegates from nearly 200 countries struggled for a third day to lay the groundwork for a deal that would cut emissions in an attempt to ensure that temperatures don't rise more than 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F) over what they were in preindustrial times. Temperatures have already risen about 0.8 degrees C (1.4 degrees F), according to the latest report by the IPCC.

Discord between rich and poor countries on who should do what has kept the two-decade-old U.N. talks from delivering on that goal, and global emissions are still going up.

Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, urged delegates to heed the science and quickly take action.

"When I had the privilege in 2007 of accepting the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the IPCC, in my speech I asked the rhetorical question, `Will those responsible for decisions in the field of climate change at the global level listen to the voice of science and knowledge, which is now loud and clear,' " he said. "I am not sure our voice is louder today but it is certainly clearer on the basis of the new knowledge."

Delegates in Doha are bickering over money from rich countries to help poorer ones adapt to and combat the impacts of climate change, and whether developed countries will sign onto an extension of a legally binding emissions pact, the Kyoto Protocol, that would run until 2020.

A pact that once incorporated all industrialized countries except the United States would now include only the European Union, Australia and several smaller countries which together account for less than 15 percent of global emissions. And the United States is refusing to offer any bolder commitments to cut its emissions beyond a non-binding pledge to reduce emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.

"For developed country parties like the United States and the European Union, the pledges and commitments ... put forward on the table are far below what is required by the science," Su Wei, a member of the Chinese delegation, told reporters. "And far below what is required by their historical responsibility."

Developing countries have said they are willing to take steps to control emissions, but that they must be given space to build their economies. Although China is the largest carbon polluter and India is rapidly catching up, both countries lag far behind the industrial countries in emissions per person and still have huge populations mired in poverty. They don't see emissions peaking anytime soon.

"We are still in the process of industrialization. We are also confronted with the enormous task of poverty eradication," said Wei, acknowledging that the country's emissions won't peak by 2020.

"In order to eradicate poverty, to try to improve the living standards, certainly we need to develop our economy," he said. "So the emissions will need to grow for a period of time."

[WilliamHughesGames]

If the Arctic ice melt is a random event, then after an extreme event such as the ice melt of 2012, one would expect a reversion to the mean. In other words, the ice melt for 2013 should be less that for 2012. If, on the other hand, we are pushing the melt or if a tipping point has been passed, one would expect at the most, a very small reversion to the mean but much more likely, even greater melt in 2013 and subsequent years. 7 more months (to Sept 15) and we will have the first point in this series. Perhaps, if the melt continues to increase year after year, the climate deniers will have the grace to admit that just a possibility they may have been wrong. It is still uncertain if we will go into an El Nino this year but if so, the results should be spectacular.

[cydygitt2]

Polar Melting Is Accelerating, So Is Sea-Level Rise

A report by 47 scientists using data from 10 satellites provides exquisitely detailed measurements of Greenland and Antarctica

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=polar-melting-is-accelera

[Noval53]

Let's quit pretending that climate MAD scientists can predict the future any better than a palm reader or end of the world televangelist; they can't. If you want to donate your income to the bottomless UN climate fund, be my guest. Use some of "your" grocery money not mine. This global warming/climate change religion needs to be voluntary. There are millions of suckers willing to donate. Make this a voluntary "box" for your direct deposit. Leave us happy sinners (climate change atheist = non believers)out of it. The global economy is melting down much faster than the polar ice caps.

[JimSpriggs]

What a waste of a good paragraph space. First you proclaim that climatologists are no better at climatology than mystics and religious charlatans, then you express the worn out libertarian-style paranoia scenario where your personal wealth would be used to fuel a world government climate change conspiracy.
Then we see another worn out denialist canard that science somehow becomes a leap of faith.

The global economy is inextricably linked to Global Warming. I know it's harsh, but you have to face reality. Maybe you are really afraid to let go of the fantasy life we think we can keep forever, but unless you can leave this planet by spaceship, you are in it, and you are going to be a part of changing and adapting to a renewable future whether you volunteer or not.

[Noval53]

Developing countries "must be given space to grow their economies"; like the US for example. If you're cold, poor, and don't have cash for over priced fuel, you are going to burn whatever it takes to stay warm; regardless what gases are released. A global economic melt down is far more likely to end the world as we know it. Do something productive; legalize marijuana. Just think of how much CO2 can be absorbed by all those newly planted fields.

[Noval53]

The sky is falling; OMG!! I know; let's devise a plan to scare the whole world into a redistribution of wealth scam, er plan. What a gigantic croc pot of BS. Once this plan goes into so called action; follow the money honey. Al Gore is already fithy rich over this weather/climate crap. Does anyone think this huge scam is free? Hang onto you wallets and watch how much this BS will cost in new regulations, fees, and global taxation that's never ending. Watch and learn.

[JaggidEdje]

If we just do nothing and pretend it is not happening, then the cost in both dollars and human lives far out-weighs any costs associated with trying to manage it pro-actively. The erratic weather and droughts we have seen around the world this year are just the beginning, it will get far worse. The costs of ignoring this threat are far too high for anyone who isn't an blind idiot.

[wildbilltoo]

You don't believe in it but NASA, the Pentagon and top corporations left and right do and make plans based on it. Who to believe, who to believe?

[Rick_Carter1]

Remember I tried to warn you all, countless times over the years. Have fun, everyone! Bye, bye! - RC

[joesapper]

Well since the election is over , perhaps things will cool down as all that air hot will not be in play for at least another 20 months .

O wait I forgot in less than a year it will be heating up again as House elections will be the steam behind more hot air .

By that time we should know if the Mid East and the euro crisis will be hotter than ever or just a flash in the pan , as both are becoming of little concern as the final result is now in clear focus , with most hiding their head in the sand hoping it just fades away .

Something like the Libya failures I guess , or I could be completely wrong about the Libya disaster .

[76SpiritOf]

Yeah, Joe I have to agree that the Carbon footprint of most politicians is far too large. All of that hot air sprewed by PACs, the canned debates and the habitual liars (aka politicians) is probably responsible for this year's record temperatures.

If what you say is true, 2014 will produce even more ice melt and record breaking temperatures.

I guess I call this objective evidence to support my earlier post stating man is reposible for global warming :-)

We might have different political views and I can respect that. However, it good to see humorous posts and I appreciate your candor.

Have a great night. My significant other is calling so my fun for the evening is over....

[jamie047]

Wait till Winter is over to see if there's enough snowfall and ice development before considering other options.

[rh4u]

This melting ice, climax change is 100% bogus. Humans cannot impact the earth, only the good lord can cause catastraphic events. Stop making man be larger then god. We are forever in his debt.

BTW, we as mankind can make the planet inhospital to ourselves by refusing to clean up after ourselves. So the environmentalist should stop poisoning the water and polluting the air with there nonsense.

[76SpiritOf]

OK,

I challenge you to provide some "objective evidense" that the environmentalists are wrong about global warming.

I'll hang around for a bit in hopes you do not cut and run like most conservatives.

[hakori]

It doesn't matter what is done now. Even if we became a zero emissions planet tomorrow, it's too late. We would have to actively take carbon out of the atmosphere to make any differance. This train has left the station and we most likely have only a few years left until major climatic changes render human civilization impossible. We may very well be heading toward a mass extinction event. Enjoy what time we have left.