What's the real global threat? Not terrorism.

by Plutonium Page

Look to the Arctic to see the effects of the real global threat: climate change.

The following images were generated by the NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio. They illustrate the receding ice in Greenland. Click each image to enlarge it.

From left to right: color scale (cm/year receding), and the east coast of Greenland.

Now, courtesy of the ASTER science team/U. of Maine, this is the Kangerdlugssuaq glacier in Greenland. It is moving three times faster than it was in 1996, because it is melting. The dotted yellow line is where the glacier ends today.

And now for a story to go with the pictures. It has to do with those damned Greenpeace terrorists, and what they've been up to. Their latest act of terrorism: a trip to the Arctic, accompanied by scientists from the U. of Maine Climate Change Institute, to determine how fast some of the glaciers are melting.

Here's what the Greenpeace folks, and two scientists found:

Independent scientists onboard the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise yesterday discovered that a Greenland glacier has accelerated in the past nine years exceeding all expectations and has now become one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world. These observations validate predictions about impacts to Greenland glaciers from recent global warming.

The specifics are important. The glacier is moving three times faster than in 1996, and the edge of it is receding faster (three miles) than in the past:

Outlet glaciers like Kangerdlugssuaq transport ice from the heart of the Greenland Ice Sheet to the ocean and discharge icebergs, which contribute to sea level rise. Kangerdlugssuaq Glacier alone transports or “drains” four percent of the ice from the Greenland Ice Sheet, and so any changes in the speed of these glaciers holds tremendous significance in terms of sea level rise.

[snip]

Preliminary findings indicate Kangerdlugssuaq Glacier on Greenland’s East Coast could be one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world with a speed of almost nine miles per year. The measurements were made this week using high precision GPS survey methods. In 1996, measurements made with satellite imagery revealed the glacier’s speed was three miles per year. In addition, Kangerdlugssuaq Glacier has unexpectedly receded approximately three miles since 2001 after maintaining a stable position for the past 40 years.

The scientists discuss their findings on their blog, mentioning that their videographer filmed the glacier for two hours, and they could actually see the glacier moving.

Finally, a predicted consequence of the accelerated melting of Arctic glaciers is rising sea levels. Will Florida (and Jeb Bush) eventually end up under water? How about the Netherlands? Will we see the canal water rise, right outside our house?

All sarcasm aside, the seriousness of climate change is underscored by the U. Maine scientists' findings.

If you are still not convinced that climate change is very serious, and very real, check out this slide show, of "then and now" (1928 and 2002) pictures of various places in Iceland. The changes are dramatic, to put it mildly.

Yawn... yeah, I know, it's just another climate change story. No big deal, right? Just something those damned liberals invented.

Comments

[Steve]

Sorry, Page, the pictures were too pretty for me to read the whole thing. I'd pay to see GWB say "Kangerdlugssuaq," however!

[Plutonium Page]

Steve, I'd pay to see that too.

[DHinMI]

I just recently finished reading Rise of the Vulcans: A History of Bush's War Cabinet, which covers the careers, ideas of and policies espoused by Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Powell, Armitage and Rice. It's a great book, a wonderful read, full of plenty of information and insights...and almost completely devoid of any discussion of serious engagement by the foreign and defense policy braintrust on issues such as climate change, risks from disease and pandemic, global migration, non-state actors (prior to 9-11), terrorism (again, until 9-11), or any of the other emerging challenges to American strength and national security. The problem isn't that the author, James Mann, ignores these issues; it's that his subjects ignore those issues. And it's certainly a national security issue to think that the world system could be thrown for such a loop that low-lying areas all around the world could be under water in 30 or 40 years.

The Bush administration and the entire Republican policy establishment is just completely inept at dealing with stuff like this. If it's not something Boeing or Locheed-Martin can build to blow the crap out of things, or if it doesn't involve military swagger, they don't care. And at some point, all of us (or our children) will have to deal with the fruits of their ignorance, greed and incompetence.

[emptywheel]

DH,

I keep saying. The frame for progressive "foreign relations"--sustainability. Encompasses global warming, economics, stupid wars, and if DemFrom helps me, I'll even work pandemics in there.

Kerry should have been the guy to sell this. Damn, Gore should have been the guy to sell this. We'll end up with Hillary next time who has none of the treehugging credentials the other two had.

[Mimikatz]

Sustainability would certainly sell here in California. I posted some results from a poll in CA on global warming on the stem cell thread over the weekend, but some of it bears repeating:

link

"A strong majority of Californians, rejecting Bush administration assertions that global warming is not yet a proven phenomenon, believe the effects of climate change have already begun and want state legislators to take action to lessen human activities that scientists say are warming the planet, a new poll shows.

"The survey conducted by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California indicates that 86 percent of state residents believe that global warming will affect current or future generations. Of those respondents, 57 percent say the changes are already under way.

Only 9 percent of Californians overall, and 20 percent of California Republicans, say that global warming 'will never happen,' according to the survey."

The fact that 20% of Republicans think global warming will never happen points to Bush's religious core of support here. But 87% of Californians believe it will happen, and over 49% think it is already happening.

Of course we have a strong track record of supporting emission controls, but the fact that

"77 percent of respondents favor a state law requiring automakers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new cars beginning in 2009, and 69 percent support a plan to reduce those emissions from cars and industry by more than 80 percent over the next 50 years" is pretty dramatic.

I have always believed that certain industries that stand to lose a lot, such as the insurance industry, will move the GOP ultimately. It is like so many other things--those companies that are willing to do at least some good don't want to be penalized for it, so they will support mandatory regulations in the end. Maybe the food industry will get on board.

There was an interesting article in the Business section of the NYTimes Sunday making the case that Ford (or GM) could become "the green car company" and take market share in the future. If they don't, Toyota will continue to eat their lunch. Here in Beserkely it seems that ewvery other new car is a Prius.

With the midwestern heat wave and the early hurricane season, maybe the time is ripe for some Dem to come forth on the issue. I don't think they'd be seen as a kook this summer.

[Yorkstreet05]

Regarding climate change, awareness, and action, you may be interested in this project:

www.rideforclimate.com

A former staff member at the Carnegie Institution Department of Global Ecology, David Kroodsma is riding his bicycle from Palo Alto, California, to the southern tip of South America. He is riding to raise awareness of climate change and how it will affect the Americas. His web site -- updated regularly -- includes considerable information about climate change as well as his conversations about climate with people along the way.

Definitely worth a look.

[shusurvey6]

Please participate in a new energy issues survey--UNIDO-ICHET survey

Dear All:
We are currently launching a poll sponsored by UNIDO-ICHET to study public opinions and attitudes towards hydrogen energy related issues. We are also looking for feedback related to UNIDO-ICHET's website. Would you please logon to one of the URLs listed below (you can logon either site we offer). Your answers will produce valuable information for our researchers.
http://www.unido-ichet.org
http://www.ichet.org (UNIDO-ICHET homepage, please log on and click 'for UNIDO-ICHET survey' button)
http://eshop.ereach.com.tw/UNIDO-ICHETsurvey (questionnaire web pages)

And please forward this meaningful survey message to anyone whom you know is also suitable to answer this questionnaire. Thank you.

Sponsorship: UNIDO-ICHET (UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION - INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR HYDROGEN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES)
Project leader: Mavis Tsai, Ph. D. Shih Hsin University

[shu]

Dear Sir/Madam:

We are researchers from Shih Hsin University and are launching a new
survey, this is non-profit academic research. In this survey, we would
like to know your opinions about the topics of adoption and safety of
new energy related technology, and your opinion about Kyoto Protocol
related media issues. Your answers will produce valuable information
for our researchers. Your personal details will not be made publicly
available. You can find the URL as below:

http://www.e-mediasurvey.com

As thanks for your participating in our survey, we offer four
screen savers. The screen savers will be available for download on the
final page of the questionnaire. They include photos of BMW H2R
hydrogen vehicle, BMW hybrid car, Honda hybrid cars 2001-2006 and
Honda fuel cell vehicles. Would you please complete the questionnaire
as part of the survey? Thank you for your cooperation.

Project Leader: Mavis Tsai, Ph.D.
Co-project Leader: Scott Warren, Ph.D.
Researchers: PingYuan Sun, BiTing Qiou, YunZe Que

Sponsorship:
UNIDO-ICHET
The CCS Global Group
Screen Saver photos authorized by BMW, Honda.

by forwarding this important survey message. >