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Impacts of Climate Change The Arctic WORLD AT RISK

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The disappearing arctic By how much did permanent sea ice decrease by between 2004 and 2005 according to NASA studies?By how much did permanent sea ice decrease by between 2004 and 2005 according to NASA studies?

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The disappearing arctic By how much did permanent sea ice decrease by between 2004 and 2005 according to NASA studies?By how much did permanent sea ice decrease by between 2004 and 2005 according to NASA studies? 14% which is equivalent to a size 3x that of the UK

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The disappearing Arctic

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Why is this such a problem? Apart from rising sea levels why is it a problem if we lose sea ice such as the arctic?Apart from rising sea levels why is it a problem if we lose sea ice such as the arctic?

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Which would you pick on a hot day?

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albedo Albedo is the amount of solar radiation reflected by the Earths surfaces.Albedo is the amount of solar radiation reflected by the Earths surfaces.

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Albedo 1. Light coloured snow and ice reflects back the Suns energy efficiently.1. Light coloured snow and ice reflects back the Suns energy efficiently. 2. Exposed land is darker coloured and absorbs more energy. THIS IS THE SAME FOR OPEN OCEAN.2. Exposed land is darker coloured and absorbs more energy. THIS IS THE SAME FOR OPEN OCEAN.

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Albedo 3. As the ice melts, more land is exposed. This absorbs more heat, melting more ice.3. As the ice melts, more land is exposed. This absorbs more heat, melting more ice. 4. The altitude of the melting ice is now reduced so it becomes harder for new ice to form.4. The altitude of the melting ice is now reduced so it becomes harder for new ice to form.

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This is a positive feedback loop Less solar radiation is reflected away, and more is absorbed by the ocean A greater quantity of heat is produced The ice melts at a faster rate There is less ice cover in the Arctic region

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The arctic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEF66GRecQg&f eature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEF66GRecQg&f eature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEF66GRecQg&f eature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEF66GRecQg&f eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO5ismKMkEg&f eature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO5ismKMkEg&f eature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO5ismKMkEg&f eature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO5ismKMkEg&f eature=related

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Impacts of the increased melting

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Total travel distance for a one- way trip from Norway to Japan: Via Panama Canal: 24 000 kmVia Panama Canal: 24 000 km Via Cape Horn: 35 000 kmVia Cape Horn: 35 000 km Via Suez Canal (Asian Route): 21 500 kmVia Suez Canal (Asian Route): 21 500 km Via Northwest Passage: 14 500 kmVia Northwest Passage: 14 500 km