Satellite Confirmation of Arctic Sea Ice Decline

15. One of the predictions of the UN report is the melting and eventual disappearance of the Arctic sea ice.
16. On May 2, 2007, the National Snow and Ice Data Center reported that satellite photos show the Arctic sea ice is smaller and melting faster than predicted in the UN report. (Jane Kay, "Arctic sea ice smaller than ever, melting faster than predicted, satellite images show," San Francisco Chronicle, May 2, 2007, p. A2.)
17. Satellite photos have tracked the Arctic sea ice for the last 30 years, and scientists have concluded that the melting of the Arctic sea ice is 30 years ahead of earlier climate model projections. At the current rate of melting the Arctic sea ice could disappear between 2050 and 2100. (Ibid.)
18. Are you aware that what happens in the Arctic affects the rest of the planet because the sea ice provides a cooling effect as it reflects sunlight back into space? (Ibid.)
19. Are you concerned about the disappearance of the Arctic ice?

Potential Catastrophic Consequences

20. Are you willing to talk about some of the other findings of the UN IPCC report?
21. The report predicts the following: (a) global temperatures will rise between about 2 degrees F and 12 degrees F by 2100, causing longer and more intense heat waves; (b) if glacier melting continues to accelerate, sea levels could rise more than 4 feet by 2100, swamping low-lying coastal cities; and (c) we can expect more intense tropical storms. (Bryan Walsh, "Raising the Climate Stakes," Time, February 19, 2007, p. 18.)
22. Let's look at the human consequences of these predictions.

Consequences for North America

23. The implications for North America include these effects: (a) summer temperatures will likely increase 10 degrees F in a broad band from California to Texas; (b) the snow season will be shortened with a contracted snow cover, thereby, threatening the summer water supply of California and the Pacific Northwest; (c) the East Coast will be wetter and cloudier; and (d) tropical hurricanes will become more intense, reaching peak wind speeds and bringing more heavy rains. (Jane Kay, "Grim global warming prognosis for Western U.S.," San Francisco Chronicle, February 3, 2007, p. A1 & A6, hereafter referred to as "Kay.")
24. Scientists are also predicting that the Southwest will return to the dust bowl conditions that were prevalent in the 1930s. (Dan Vergamo, "Study forecasts new ‘Dust Bowl,'" USA Today, April 6-8, 2007, Weekend Edition, p. 8A.)
25. Would you agree that changes to North America as a result of global warming would be significant?