Pollution soaring to crisis levels in Arctic

[cal04]

Scientists plead for action to save poles from 'tipping point' disaster
Researchers have uncovered compelling evidence that indicates Earth's most vulnerable regions - the North and South Poles - are poised on the brink of a climatic disaster. The scientists, at an atmospheric monitoring station in the Norwegian territory of Svalbard, have found that levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere near the North Pole are now rising at an unprecedented pace.

In 1990 this key cause of global warming was rising at a rate of 1 part per million (ppm). Recently, that rate reached 2 ppm per year. Now, scientists at the Mount Zeppelin monitoring station have discovered it is rising at between 2.5 and 3 ppm. 'The fact that our data now show acceleration in the rise of carbon dioxide level is really a source for concern,' said Professor Johan Strom, of Stockholm University's department of applied environmental science, which runs the Mount Zeppelin station. 'The increase is also seen at other stations, but our Zeppelin data show the strongest increase.'

The news of the latest carbon dioxide figures comes as scientists prepare to announce details of the forthcoming International Polar Year programme, which will involve teams of scientists from around the world making a concerted attempt to understand the impact of global warming in the world's high latitudes. In particular, they will concentrate on the social impact of climate change there and also the threats to the regions' wildlife, such as polar bears and
walruses. In the last two decades, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have risen from 350 to 380 ppm and scientists warn that once levels reach 500, there could be irreversible consequences that would tip the planet toward disaster: glacier melts triggering devastating sea-level rises and spreading deserts across Africa and Asia.

Scientists and campaigners are desperate for politicians to reach agreements that will prevent the 500 ppm 'tipping point' being breached in the next half-century. These new data suggest they may have a far shorter period of time in which to act. 'Fortunately, this rate of rise of carbon dioxide is not yet seen round the world,' added Strom. 'However, it may be that we have been the first to detect it, and that we are seeing some kind of special effect that could have widespread consequences in a few years.'

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1729253,00.html

[SeaBob]

1. ANWAR

and these Assholes (Ted Stevens) want to drill more into ANWAR. What shit heads

[CrazyOrangeCat]

2. Yes, he's a total POS . . .

Welcome to DU!

[WhiteTara]

3. especially since the spill in Prudhoe Bay

These people are worse than war criminals, they are planetary criminals.

[0007]

4. This is indeed a shame. A shame that more isn't being done

to meet this emergency.

[Blue_Tires]

5. good luck trying to get bush to believe it

much less do something about it

[ramapo]

6. Bush is the tip of the iceberg

Our society is really to blame here, for both our lifestyle and for electing such a bozo as a leader. Sadly, Clinton wasn't much of a trailblazer either when it came to environmental policy. You might argue his hands were tied by Congress but...

Either way, the failures of the past quarter-century to develop a true policy of conservation and responsibility has likely doomed a significant number of species. Polar bears, penguins, and a host of less visible species will likely not be able to adjust to the climatic shifts which are upon us.

To make matters worse, emerging growth countries, China and India especially, have not learned from our mistakes. Instead they are copying our failed transportation policies (cars and highways, highways and cars) with a vengence.

In order to stop and perhaps reverse climate change, it will be necessary to make a seismic shift in our lifestyles. This will not occur willingly. Our society is built upon consumption. We must live differently. We do not need to live lesser lives, only low-impact lives.

I firmly believe we have the capacity to redesign our society but there exists to leadership, moral, political or otherwise, to lead the changes necessary. Instead change will be, at some point, forced upon us, at an unknown ecological cost.

[Blue_Tires]

7. good points

the GOP has successfully put out their pro-business, 'enviro-nazi tree huggers' meme in the media for the past 20 years with too little opposition...Just like labor unions, both groups have been demonized for so long, they are now seen as the 'bad guys'

[lovuian]

8. The scientists are sounding the alarms and this is going

way faster than was predicted... theres more here than even they know...