|
|
Article: Collapse of Arctic sea ice 'has reached tipping-point'
- Article from:
- Belfast Telegraph
- Article date:
- March 16, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007 Belfast Telegraph. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
The scientists attribute the loss of some 38,000 square miles of
sea ice - an area the size of Alaska - to rising levels of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere as well as to natural variability in Arctic
ice.Ever since satellite measurements of the Arctic sea ice began in
1979, the surface area covered by summer sea ice has retreated from
the long-term average. This has increased the rate of coastal erosion
from Alaska to Siberia and caused problems for polar bears, which
rely on sea ice for hunting seals.However, in recent years the rate
of melting has accelerated and the sea ice is showing signs of not
recovering even during the cold, dark months of the Arctic winter.
This has led to even ...