Four Major Antarctic Glaciers Shrinking In Unison - Ocean Temps May Be Trigger - Independent

[hatrack]

A mysterious phenomenon is causing four major glaciers in the Antarctic to shrink in unison, causing a significant increase in sea levels, scientists have found.

The rise in atmospheric temperatures caused by global warming cannot account for the relatively rapid movement of the glaciers into the sea, but scientists suspect that warmer oceans may be playing a role.

"There is a possibility that heat from the ocean is somehow flowing in underneath these glaciers, but it is not related to global warming," said glaciologist Duncan Wingham of University College London. "Something has changed that is causing these glaciers to shrink. "At this rate the glaciers will all be afloat in 150 years or so."

Satellite measurements have shown that the Antarctic glaciers are retreating in a uniform manner, suggesting a common cause. Air temperatures over Antarctica are much too cold for any significant surface melting, which suggests that the flow of the glaciers into the sea is being aided by melting at their base, lubricating their movement into the ocean.

EDIT

http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/climate_change/article2362745.ece

[kestrel91316]

1. Dump those beach properties NOW, folks!

[kansasblue]

2. And I'll make my plea again...

There aren't really many people that don't believe Global Warming isn't happening. And I suspect it helps to point that out here... but it would seem to be of more value here at DU to supply us with scientific reasons for what is causing Global Warming.

What's I hear is: '... its happened before, it's happening again', ' not caused by man', 'sceintist don't agree on the cause'.

I think it would be of great value to discuss those issues. What's causing the warming?

[Virginia Dare]

3. My layman's understanding of it is..

there is a natural cycle of warming and cooling of the earth, and we may perhaps being going through a natural warming cycle, however increased CO2 emission due to man made pollutants into the air is causing that warming to accelerate at an unprecedented rate to preclude any natural adaptation and which in turn could harm the earth beyond all natural repair.

The truth is, nobody knows for certain what the consequences will be, but it in all probablility will not be good, as all indications would point in that direction.

[sbyte]

4. Global warming is a political ruse to choke off development, progress

Why is there so much political hysteria about global warming?
Maybe the earth is getting warmer but can you say for sure that it is cause by CO2?
The only evidence most persons cite is Ice Core samples. BUT there have been other sources
taken by direct measurement from the atmosphere for over a hundred years by scientists which shows a time of increased CO2 emission's without an increase in average mean earth temperature. Even so man made CO2 is only contributes 3% percent to the total emission's. HU.? (YEA... thats right)

So, What is it then that is driving the perceived notion that we are the cause of Global warming?
It is Political. It is a drive to starve off development by choking it off. I see the kyoto accords as a way to establish a trading mechanism in which the rich industrial business buy up all the CO2 credits leaving none for the poorer countries to develop. Why would anyone want that?
What ever happened to "We are all created equal".? This drive toward energy or CO2 credits will create an arbitrary imbalance and greater human suffering.

Who is behind this? See the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6Wr1hcIp2U

[Boomer]

5. Exhibit A

And this, dear folk, is why our species will not change our behavior until it is changed for us.

Too many people are invested -- emotionally or financially -- in NOT believing that humans play a part in the current global climate crisis.

I no longer believe a "solution" is feasible, even if it's possible. I'm just hoping the collapse takes a little longer than the short span I have left on this earth. But the more I read, the more I suspect my short span isn't quite short enough....

[Dead_Parrot]

6. Lazyness also plays a big part

There are millions of people who, rather than go and read a scientific journal or talk to researchers in the field, are quite happy to get their "knowledge" from a youtube video or a preacher.

I'm amazed we got as far as the wheel. :(

Edit: Exhibit B - "My god, he can't have done that - it would require a scientific mind, and a willingness to learn!"

[Systematic Chaos]

7. Like, fer sure, dude!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Ah, I feel much better now.

[hatrack]

8. Your flawless logic and amazing scientific evidence have shown me the error of my ways!

Oh woe, that I could have been so wrong for so long.

Many thanks, O Wise One, for sharing your insights - I am forever in your debt!

[jeffreyi]

9. It's not the change in average mean temperature

that moves vegetation zones around, (I don't know if it's the same thing with ice melting) it's the increase in average minimum temperatures...and the timing....go check out any number of peer-reviewed articles by bona-fide SCIENTISTS in Climate Science and Journal of Vegetation Science and Ecology and Journal of Biogeography and on and on, documenting climate-induced shifts in vegetation all over the world....There's lots in the last 5 years. But, what the hey, it does not matter what you or anybody thinks or believes at all. This horse is out of the barn and over into the next state already. As far as human suffering, you ain't seen nothing yet. Australia and Sub-Sahara Africa are just the beginning. I feel badly for the non-human creatures that have been/are being dragged into this. by the way, just so you know, this is exactly the WRONG forum to drop this crap into unless you enjoy being skinned alive. But you will learn that, too. Some of the best informed climate change people have been posting here regularly, and robustly (i.e., w/ links to the documented evidence) for several years now, long before the climate change thing hit the popular consciousness. Please crawl back in your hole, and turn off some lights in the process, just for the symbolism of it. Just so you know, your video is uninformed B.S. But like I say, it doesn't matter what you think, the time for arguing about it is long gone, the time for some creative adapting and for a lot of folks, just plain survival, is here. Gawd.

[Nihil]

10. Hmmm ... human or non-human? truth or hype?

Troll or wanker?

:shrug:

[Javaman]

11. Enjoy your stay, it will be short. :) nt

[phantom power]

13. Wait, first let me *guess* who is behind it:

[sbyte]

14. Retraction, Sorry temporarily persuaded by video

Did not check it out completely before posting.
Have changed my mind. went to see the NOAA site for up to date information.
Again sorry for the inconvenience, but I am a novice to the global warming debate.
It does appear that CO2 levels are more rising rapidly than shown by the outdated charting from
the video, IT also looks like CH04 is even
worse and is being released at an accelerating pace.

[phantom power]

12. What a weird and misleading phrase to use: "not related to global warming."

What rule is that? Only melting directly attributable to atmospheric heat counts?
:eyes: