Global Warming accelerated according to experts, what does this mean for mankind?

Question

I recently read in a couple of articles that the ice is melting faster than anticipated and could be all melted within five (5) years. That means 2012, which is right around the corner. Should we take this prediction seriously and what can we do about it?

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/343294_iced.html

Dr. Jello, Y2K meant nothing because our calendar is so messed up, but 5 years is 5 years, remember you only get to die "once."

Ryan_is_ thanks for your realistic view and all the info. Real Estate may decline in value on the coasts.

Francis K, thanks for your link. I heard about that factor will try and research more later.

Your Question..., I've been around for more decades than you I'm sure and I don't remember the changes of which you speak.

Answer 1

*sigh* Beware those resistant to change, for they will indeed resist change.

The concept is simple enough. An increase in temperature means increased heat, which means ice starts melting.

There will always be those who toss out a few numbers, and shout triumphantly "Look! it was cold today!! No Global warming!!!". and yes, there will be variations in temperatures that won't constantly rise. However, the overall trend shows startling facts. Article A, taken from NASA.gov, shows the trend since 1880. While in any given year, the temperature may trend down, it is unmistakably rising.

Alright, so it's getting hotter! So what? There have been ice ages and heat waves for ever!! It's a natural cycle! that ugly black stuff coming from our cars, that can't be bad!

So what if the ice cap is melting? Here's what: the ice cap is on top of the ground. This means that right now, that big chunk of ice isn't part of the global sea level. That means if it's melted into the ocean, it will raise the sea level catastrophically. According to NASA.GOV: "from 2002 to 2006, Greenland lost between 150 and 250 cubic kilometers (36 to 60 cubic miles) of ice per year. One cubic kilometer is equal to about 264 billion gallons of water. That's enough melting ice to account for an increase in global sea level of as much as 0.5 millimeters (0.019 inches) per year, according to Isabella Velicogna and John Wahr of the University of Colorado, Boulder."

0.5 millimeters? Whoop-de-doo! you might say. But bear in mind that "The Greenland Ice Sheet holds about 2.85 million cubic kilometers of ice - 10% of the world's ice mass." (Source B) If all this melts, "it would raise the average sea level about 6.5 meters.", (Source B)

Well, this will take forever won't it? to melt that much ice? but here's the problem: A solid mass of ice reflects most of the light, so it won't melt much, even in full sunlight. but when it DOES start melting, little pools of water form on top, trapped on crevices in the glacier. While water reflects sunlight too, it doesn't reflect as much as ice. This means the water starts to get warmer and warmer. As it does, it melts more and more ice, creating more and more water, which absorbs more and more sunlight, and suddenly - well, you get the picture. It's like pushing a huge boulder off the top of the hill. It's hard to start it, but once you do get it rolling, it's gonna take a lot more effort to stop it. Al Gore's 'Inconvenient Truth', despite being labeled 'liberal fruitcup propaganda', does a much better job of explaining this than i do.

Ah, and one more thing. Look at image A. This is an oceanic conveyor belt - it the flow of water around the oceans "Warm waters in the upper 1500 meters flow northward to the vicinity of Iceland. Winter cooling increases the density of the water permitting it to sink to great depths. Once at depth, the water flows the length of the Atlantic and becomes mixed into the deep southern hemisphere current. Because the ocean and atmosphere are a coupled system any changes in this large-scale ocean circulation could cause large-scale atmospheric changes on the order of hundreds of years" (Source C). Now notice how it flows past Greenland. What if 10% of the world's ice mass - fresh water - where to flow suddenly into the Atlantic? Say, maybe Greenland? "The density of pure water is 1000 kg/m3. Ocean water is more dense because of the salt in it. Density of ocean water at the sea surface is about 1027 kg/m3." (Source D) So suddenly the water can't sink, because it's not dense enough? Boom. Ocean current stops. And with it, atmospheric current stops. I'll let you decide if that's a good thing or not.

Anyways, I don't know about the 2012 estimates, but personally, i don't want to sit around and wait to find out. We humans must clearly mend our feulish - errr - foolish ways.

Here's the punchline: i wrote this myself (except the citations, of course) AND I'M 15 YEARS OLD!! Listen up, you adults need to get with the program. This is not a political issue. this is not an economical issue. This is a MORAL issue.

Answer 2

The arctic ice melting won't have much of an effect IMO. They pretend it is warm up there but it is probably 50 below right now and plenty cold enough to freeze. It has been warmer than recent times since we are coming out of a cold spell in the 1970s. In 5 years they suggest that the Arctic could be unfrozen. First, they don't know and second so what. Maybe some polar bears will have to adapt but they did so in the past. It will be a benefit to mankind overall. Those that see only negative consequences should not be taken too seriously because they refuse to look at the subject objectively.

Answer 3

2012 - That year is coming up more often. Is this because three sources predict this year to be the end of the earth? Is the UN jumping on the bandwagon in order to take over the fears of the people?

Nothing will happen in 2012, just like nothing happened for Y2K.

Answer 4

If I live another 10 years........ I will be interested in the reactions in the media once the satellite data shows 10+years of declining temperatures............... I do not trust land based temperature stations for many reasons, least of which is the Earth is 70% water--------- or the data they provide------ however as I have stated before once we have another 10-15 years of SAT data---- then I will decide if this "warming" is an actual trend.

I have posted this before------ I usually get 10 links showing the "consensus" opinion------- but none of them answers the TWO KEY questions which are:
1. What is the optimum temperature of the Earth?

2. Where EXACTLY is the thermostat ?

Until someone answers these two questions I prefer that YOU keep your hands away from what you believe to be "the switch".

Answer 5

It means that we're running out of time to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. We need to take action immediately.

By the way, the hot spot beneath Greenland is below its northeastern corner. Most of the ice melt is on Greenland's southern edge. While the hot spot may be contributing, most of the melt is due to global warming. Not to mention all the other evidence for human-caused global warming, some of which I discuss here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aht1AjBz5JKn89IGRLNT_.bty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071215102828AAxyWW6

Answer 6

we should take it totally seriously. 2012 is right around the corner, and we all have to make up for our mistakes. everyone has contributed to global warming. we have to stop it now!!! polar bears and penguins in teh south pole are walking on melting ice!!! i don't know about you other ppl, but i want the earth to stay around a whole lot longer. that's not gonna happen if ppl dont give a crap. we have to work together to save the earth. the earth has been giving to us for millions of years. it's time we give back to it.

Answer 7

first off look at your source - there are more liberal fruit cups in Seattle than a wendys salad bar.
i'll leave you with this thought - what happens when you leave ice outside - it melts

every 10k years the earth goes through some changes

we have to deal with it or complain about it.

Answer 8

Start digging a well for drinking water

Answer 9

One Word. Doom.