While the 2008 arctic ice melt season did not itself break any records, more sea ice melted in August of 2008 than in any August, ever. Researchers believe that if the current rate of decline continues, all arctic sea ice will vanish by the end of the century.
In August of 2008, arctic sea ice retreated at a rate of 32,700 square miles per day, according to NASA researchers. In August of 2007, the sea ice loss was at a rate of 24,400 square miles per day.
Tags: arctic sea ice, global warming, melting, NASA
Comment(1)
When I read a headline like this, “Worst ever”, I wonder do we really know that? It certainly sounds horrific that so much ice is melting. Although I have no doubt that mankind is having an effect on the environment, we have certainly been polluting the world for a very long time but do we really know this is the worst ever. Around 500 years ago temperature in Europe was noted to be 6 degrees above average and stayed that way for over 130 years. Do we know the state of the polar ice cap at that time, do we know whether the permafrost melted in Siberia back then, and do we know whether the islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans were effected. Over the past three years the average temperature on Earth has dropped. Are we so intent on believing the worst that we are ignoring all the statistics? What is the overall picture and how much vested interest do the ‘experts’ have maneuvering the world’s population and governments in a particular direction. However although I am skeptical of what is being published in the media and blogs like this, if the end result means that mankind cleans up its act then that is a positive outcome.