Artic Melt Unnerves the Experts

Now since it is the six-month dark season in the North Pole, new ice is spreading over the Arctic Ocean. But it contrasts to the summer where it shrinks due to the temperature and creates floating ice. Scientists have done multiple studies by using satellites and buoys to show how much the wind pushes them. I think that is the most practical way to figure out how the wind affects the ice because it serves as a fake piece of ice and will give you an answer. I think that greenhouse gases are the reason why this is all occurring, and finally, the world is paying closer attention to that. People who agree cite the Meltdown as proof of human activities changing the climate. I find it interesting that still some Arctic experts factor out global warming as the reasoning and doubt the human theory. Although people think of the ice melting as a positive for business, the animals living there for example polar bears, will be in danger because they will not have a place to live and the floating ice is hazardous for them. Many scientists are skeptical on how long this is going to last so its hard to think what will really happen. If I could choose one thing to worry about in the arctic would be the animals and making sure they continue to have a habitat. Another factor that I found interesting that scientists are looking into was one that roots back to 1989. A periodic flip in winds occurred and it turned into a phase where ice stopped from drifting so it could thicken instead of spread to north of the Atlantic. This is called Arctic Oscillation. I find this interesting because this wasn’t very long ago and it’s possible it could happen again. NASA studied on old ice builds and new ice builds and the numbers we practically doubled when looking at the thickness it use to be. The entire scientists working on this study are very skeptical thinking about whether or not it will change back on its own or not. But for it to do so, as of now it doesn't have the capability to do so. -Erica Metzger http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/science/earth/02arct.html