IPCC dispute over Antarctica
The UK Observer has an article reproduced in the NZ Herald about the dispute within the IPCC over the impact of climate change in Antarctica.
It seems that Friday’s IPCC report will say that surface temperatures won’t rise enough to produce much melting in Antarctica and overall there will be an increase in the amount of water frozen in the ice due to higher snowfall.
However, other scientists are suggesting that Antarctic may significantly increase in temperature resulting in loss of ice. They point to the rapid rise in temperature in the Antarctic Peninsula; new evidence of 0.7C warming from Russian research balloons; the breakup of large iceshelfs; and the warming effect of the welcome disappearance of the Antarctic ozone hole (assuming this happens).
It seems some of this evidence came too late to be included in the IPCC report and of course the IPCC document is very much a conservative compromise effort.
January 31st, 2007 at 7:21 am
http://www.rawstory.com/showoutarticle.php?src=http://news.independent .co.uk/environment/article2193672.ece
Apparently it will say a great deal more than that. Interesting that the MSM is highlighting this part of the report. Liberal bias my left nut.
They just love a fight, and if they can’t find one they’ll create one.
FWIW IPCC conclusion appears to be “we’re toast” - when the final report is issued will be time enough to comment on it however.
Light reading while u wait
http://bostonreview.net/BR32.1/emanuel.html
BJ