|
|
Article: Melting of Arctic sea ice 'has reached tipping point' ; NEWS
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- March 16, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
A catastrophic collapse of the Arctic sea ice could lead to
radical climate changes in the northern hemisphere according to
scientists who warn that the rapid melting is at a "tipping point"
beyond which it may not recover.
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 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 ...