http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080903/ap_on_...rctic_ice_shelf
Ouch.
Full Version: Ice shelf the size of Manhattan just broke off
Dang. That can't be good.
QUOTE (5by5 @ Sep 3 2008, 05:29 PM) 
Several large pieces breaking off...The ice is the planet's air conditioner.
It is going to be instructive to see how the Gulfstream, which has been slowed and cooled by the melting ice that's running like a river off Greenland will influence the Atlantic hurricanes.
If the Atlantic Conveyor turns off, forget about hurricanes. Start thinking Ice Age.
QUOTE (5by5 @ Sep 3 2008, 05:58 PM)
If the Atlantic Conveyor turns off, forget about hurricanes. Start thinking Ice Age.
I'm going to get my Mexican citizenship... Aliens and Ice-overs all seem to drive the nation south (Independence Day and the Day after Tomorrow.) ~Area 51 is close enough
QUOTE (5by5 @ Sep 3 2008, 07:58 PM)
If the Atlantic Conveyor turns off, forget about hurricanes. Start thinking Ice Age.
I think it's just going to rearrange the weather. The EU will be much colder, because the warm water of the Gulfstream is, for now, much cooler because of the melting ice and snow. That colder water moves slower. But once the ice and snow has all melted and come up to ambient temperature, weather will warm dramatically. The cooler EU won't last long. The ice and snow is fresh water and so it dilutes the salt water of the Atlantic which affects sea life, food chain, dramatically because it is rather sudden and does not provide adequate time for sea life to acclimate to the change. The melted ice and snow will also raise sea level. It's been reported that Canada will become much warmer, of course, and the coast line of the continent will move inland.
So knit some sweaters and build a lanai.
QUOTE (fla1sun @ Sep 3 2008, 06:46 PM)
I think it's just going to rearrange the weather. The EU will be much colder, because the warm water of the Gulfstream is, for now, much cooler because of the melting ice and snow. That colder water moves slower. But once the ice and snow has all melted and come up to ambient temperature, weather will warm dramatically. The cooler EU won't last long. The ice and snow is fresh water and so it dilutes the salt water of the Atlantic which affects sea life, food chain, dramatically because it is rather sudden and does not provide adequate time for sea life to acclimate to the change. The melted ice and snow will also raise sea level. It's been reported that Canada will become much warmer, of course, and the coast line of the continent will move inland.
So knit some sweaters and build a lanai.
So knit some sweaters and build a lanai.
Who knows what will happen for sure. Ice or Hell... one thing is for sure... science keeps having to readjust its predictions to compensate for the speed by which the change has been occurring. So something more extreme than predicted could occur.
QUOTE (LilaTheGreat @ Sep 3 2008, 06:34 PM)
Dang. That can't be good.
Sh#t!!
You know, my husband says it's too late to save our country and our planet. He's trying...but he's just humoring me.
QUOTE (fla1sun @ Sep 3 2008, 06:46 PM)
I think it's just going to rearrange the weather.
I'm just speaking historically.
The last time the conveyor slowed to a crawl because fresh water from the Great Lakes poured in, Europe froze and had itself a little mini Ice Age. Lesson: stop conveyor, get cold.
However, shut it off COMPLETELY and nobody really knows just how f-ed up it'll get. And the changes we've made in the last 100 years are so off the charts, we've created a real crap shoot.
That's why I hate it when they call it "global warming" First of all, it sounds kinda fluffy and second, the change won't necessarily lead to warming in your area. I prefer the term "global catastrophic climate change". More accurate as to impact and threat.
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