Ned Potter is the science correspondent for ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson." He has reported on such topics as space exploration, the human genome and climate change.
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Arctic Ice
September 20, 2007 3:41 PM
Even though autumn begins on Sunday, this is the time of year when the Arctic ice cap reaches its minimum, warmed by the heat that builds up in the atmosphere over the summer. The National Snow and Ice Data Center reports that it's reached a record low, passing the mark set in 2005. Click HERE for their map.
See their summary HERE. They write: "The long-term average minimum, based on averaging data from 1979 to 2000, is 6.74 million square kilometers (2.60 million square miles) and occurs on September 12. Compared to this average, five-day mean ice extent for September 16, 2007, was lower by 2.61 million square kilometers (one million square miles), an area approximately equal to the size of Alaska and Texas combined, or the size of ten United Kingdoms.
"The minimum for 2007 shatters the previous five-day minimum set on September 20–21, 2005, by 1.19 million square kilometers (460,000 square miles), roughly the size of Texas and California combined, or nearly five United Kingdoms."
As you've probably read elsewhere, the famed Northwest Passage, sought by explorers for centuries, is currently open to ships, according the the European Space Agency, which makes its own measurements.
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Shuttle Update
Florida Today reports this morning that repairs to the shuttle Discovery's landing gear are ahead of schedule, and an Oct. 23 launch date is still on the table. More HERE.
September 20, 2007 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (10)
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This couldn't possibly be related to global warming and to what scientists have been screaming about for years could it? Nahh, that woud make too much sense.
Posted by: Eric | Sep 20, 2007 5:50:10 PM
I've been reading there is alot of oil that is now also available.....so....when does the U.S. and Russia have a naval showdown over ownership ?
Posted by: Doug | Sep 20, 2007 6:00:07 PM
Quote Article "As you've probably read elsewhere, the famed Northwest Passage, sought by explorers for centuries"
We humans call ourselves the most intelligent animal on the planet, but only the least bright of us would ignore possible future extinction in favor of more lucrative commerce. Keep driving those SUV's people... We'll soon have shipping lanes in the Antartic as well!
Posted by: Troy Street | Sep 20, 2007 6:17:59 PM
It says smallest on record right. In other words, this is the smallest time you have measured, but no the smallest period. Thanks. I got it.
Posted by: Olbermann | Sep 20, 2007 6:43:57 PM
Scientists have correlated Earth temperatures with solar radiation. Yep, it isn't us, the sun is getting warmer.
Posted by: Terrance Jones | Sep 20, 2007 7:49:29 PM
When will the Goverments of the world get it ? We have a Global warming problem that will kill our earth and mankind. The proof is there. Are they that stupid or (Bought and paid for) and when will they finially try to do something about it.
It will too late..
Posted by: Tom | Sep 20, 2007 8:02:19 PM
We can now put to rest the idea that we can blame the sun instead of ourselves. Recent NASA studies have concluded that changing levels of energy from the sun of a few tenths of a percent are not significant enough to be a major cause of global warming. NASA concluded: "changing levels of energy from the sun are not a major cause of global warming". http://solar-center.stanford.edu/sun-on-earth/FAQ2.html
Posted by: Doug K | Sep 20, 2007 9:50:42 PM
After reading this blog, the question in my mind is whether the reduction in arctic ice is due to a cyclical warming cycle or due to more permanent climate change. No matter what the answer, why not err on the side of caution and try to do everything possible to reduce greenhouse gases and to conserve energy? If nothing else, we can try to be good stewards of what we now have.
Posted by: chuck | Sep 21, 2007 8:30:15 AM
According to AL Gore shouldn't we up to our belly buttons in water by now?
I mean the this the most ice that has ever melted in human recorded history(actually 1979)I would expect at least one the ocean states to flooded.
Posted by: Rick | Sep 21, 2007 10:37:18 PM
I totally agree with Doug K, apart from the fact that it is important we know the cause of this global warming. The best we can do in the meantime is lobby for government "green' strategies whilst individually conserving as much energy as we can.
We could also prepare for the future by considering whether or not realestate should so be close to oceans and have new homes built to withstand the potential changes in climate. Mandatory water tanks, solar/wind power and some self sufficiency with food Not easy, everything we buy and use, everything we do, all our travel be it on terra firma or in skies has some effects towards the global warming. We are the part of the cause.
Posted by: Robyn | Nov 21, 2007 3:43:05 AM
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