Sun-lovers that we are, we’ve always said that we remain skeptical but hopeful with regard to global warming. Now it appears that we may have less reason to hope.
In a twist that’s worthy of a mention in a certain Alanis Morissette song, it turns out that melting Antarctic ice may actually work against climate change.
Collapsed ice sheets – the go-to evidence of global warming – appear to be nature’s way of maintaining homeostasis. From the Guardian article:
Professor Rob Raiswell, a geologist at the University of Leeds, says that as the sheets break off the ice covering the continent, floating icebergs are produced that gouge minerals from the bedrock as they make their way to the sea. Raiswell believes that the accumulated frozen mud could breathe life into the icy waters around Antarctica, triggering a large, natural removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
And as rising temperatures cause the ice sheets to break up faster, creating more icebergs, the amount of carbon dioxide removed will also rise.
As the icebergs drift northwards, they sprinkle the minerals through the ocean. Among these minerals, Raiswell’s research shows, are iron compounds that can fertilise large-scale growth of photosynthetic plankton, which take in carbon dioxide from the air as they flourish.
See? Mother Earth knows her stuff – and she’s not about to let the human affinity for living life stop her from doing her thing.
It’s all very comforting and reassuring, and also a nice little “eff you” to Gore & Co.
But on the flip side, it’s disappointing that our knees and thighs will continue to freeze for several months of the year as we rock our minis and boots.
Like we said, we’re skeptical but hopeful: it’s nice to be right, but it’s better by far to be warm.
By Ben D. December 8, 2008 at 6:43 am
Before you feel too bad for that bear, remember, polar bears can swim. That bear is likely there to get a better look at the boat full of photographers.
By Isonomia December 8, 2008 at 6:48 am
The biggest problem for anyone believing in manmade global warming is that according to official UK met Office statistics, the world’s climate has been cooling this century. The tide has definitely turned and is starting to go out not in, but you’d never believe it from the masses and masses of “we’re all going to a fiery hell because YOU SINNERS didn’t listen us when we said the world would be flooded with water, that tropical diseases would spread throughout the world, that there would be vulcanoes and earthquakes caused by the warming of the crust, and … no doubt a plague of frogs as well”.
By May the stupid drown first December 8, 2008 at 9:31 am
Mande,
You have cemented your role as the biggest dumbass on this blog, which is really saying something.
You quoting this guy is like referring to Tom Cruise a leading biblical scholar.
More than 2,000 of the worlds top climate scientists have said climate change is a reality and that the melting of the ice caps will worsen the situation.
If 2,000 doctors told me I a brain tumor and needed aggressive treatment, while I respect your right to get brain tumor advice from Dr. Phil, I would seek professional medical treatment immiediately.
Oh, and did you hear the world is flat and at the center of the solar system, Exclusive! by Mande!
By Silence the Noise December 8, 2008 at 10:20 am
Still no excuse to 4-go better more efficient (cheaper) electricity production.
By Test your global warming IQ December 8, 2008 at 1:28 pm
What is the warmest year on our planet in the last 10 years?
By May the stupid drown first December 8, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Climate change does not mean the earth gets consistently warmer or cooler, it means a greater degree and frequency of extremes.
By Smart kid Grant December 8, 2008 at 9:09 pm
hey, sic, you should read the State of Fear by Michael Crichton to truly understand the utter insanity of global warming, and plus it is just a great book…
Anyways, the surface temperature is warming because of land use, not the 60 parts per million of CO2 that everyone thinks about (concrete is a lot hotter than a blade of grass). Just a thought to chew on…
By Eve December 9, 2008 at 1:25 am
Climate change is happening, has been happening and will continue to happen because we live on a planet orbiting a star. The warmest year in the last 10 years was 1998. The planet has been cooling for 10 years.
By Craig Farr December 19, 2008 at 1:44 am
Read “State Of Fear”