Envirolert: Arctic Air Temperatures The Highest In Decades

A new study by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has concluded that the Arctic air temperatures have climbed to record levels this year.  Much of the concern centers around new data suggesting that fall air temperatures in the Arctic region are now 9° warmer than just a few years ago.  Scientists are attributing the quick rise in temperatures to vanishing sea ice.

The warming of the air and ocean impacts land and marine life and cuts the amount of winter sea ice that lasts into the following summer, according to the report. In addition, wild reindeer and caribou herds appear to be declining in numbers.

The melting of the arctic sea ice is causing quite a stir amongst the scientific community.  Since 1979 more than 39% of the Arctic’s sea ice has vanished.  2008, while extreme in nature, is still sitting at 9% above 2007’s record low sea ice measurements.  The Arctic temperatures continue to rise and cause drastic changes in the landscape and ecosystems of the northern region.

In August, NASA released information suggesting that August had seen the biggest degree of sea ice meltoff ever recorded.

NASA data show that arctic sea ice extent declined at a rate of 32,700 square miles per day, compared to a rate of about 24,400 square miles per day in August 2007. Since measurements began, the arctic sea ice extent has declined at an average rate of 19,700 miles per day at the point when the extent reaches its annual minimum.

This is coming from an article talking about the current situation on the Science Codex blog.  The Arctic ice is melting  roughly 13,000 sq. miles faster, per day, than just 10 years ago.  Much of this is being attributed to the effects of greenhouse gases and global warming.  Answers on how to control the situation, or what can be done to reverse the continuation of these effects is hard to understand from a scientifically involved community.  Whatever the answers, it is definitely looking like some drastic changes are definitely beginning to take place at a much faster rate.

Sources:  Science Codex blog, Reuters,