MASSIVE ANTARCTIC ICE SHELF SET TO BREAK FREE
A huge ice shelf in the Antarctic the size of Connecticut is in the last stages of collapse and could break free any day. The Wilkins shelf is the largest slab of ice so far to disintegrate in the Antarctic. According to a recent Guardian article, "Though the collapse of Wilkins shelf will not raise sea levels directly - as ice shelves float on the sea surface - its demise is a warning sign of potentially disastrous changes in the earth's climate. "
A huge ice shelf in the Antarctic the size of Connecticut is in the last stages of collapse and could break free any day. The Wilkins shelf is the largest slab of ice so far to disintegrate in the Antarctic. According to a recent Guardian article, "Though the collapse of Wilkins shelf will not raise sea levels directly - as ice shelves float on the sea surface - its demise is a warning sign of potentially disastrous changes in the earth's climate. "
FACT: Scientists predicted in 1993 that the Wilkins shelf would collapse within 30 years, but the increasing effects of global warming have caused it to melt at double the anticipated rate.
MELTING ARCTIC SEA ICE
And from the other end of the planet, researchers say that more than 90 percent of the sea ice in the Arctic is only one or two years old. That makes it thinner and more vulnerable to melting than ever before, according to researchers with NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado.
And from the other end of the planet, researchers say that more than 90 percent of the sea ice in the Arctic is only one or two years old. That makes it thinner and more vulnerable to melting than ever before, according to researchers with NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado.
Sea ice is important because it reflects sunlight away from Earth. The more it melts, the more heat is absorbed by the ocean, heating up the planet more and adversely changing weather patterns worldwide.
For more, visit NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center
FACT: The amount of thick sea ice hit a record wintertime low of just 378,000 square miles this year, down 43 percent from last year. The amount of older sea ice lost is larger than the state of Texas.
"ON THIN ICE" AIRS ON PBS APRIL 17TH
Check out the documentary "On Thin Ice: Our Disappearing Glaciers", scheduled for broadcast on NOW on PBS on April 17, 2009. This investigative film features award-winning journalist David Brancaccio and Conrad Anker, one of the world's best high-altitude mountain climbers.
Check out the documentary "On Thin Ice: Our Disappearing Glaciers", scheduled for broadcast on NOW on PBS on April 17, 2009. This investigative film features award-winning journalist David Brancaccio and Conrad Anker, one of the world's best high-altitude mountain climbers.
Anker and Brancaccio travel to India's Gangotri Glacier, located in the Himalayas, which is receding at an alarming rate; and Glacier National Park in Montana, where the ancient ice has nearly disappeared. "On Thin Ice" will change the way Americans think about global warming, by making connections between global warming and crucial life and death issues such as competition for water, global food security, and national security.
Learn more at PBS.org.
FACT: The rate of Greenland's ice melt has increased 70% over the last five years.
MAKE EVERY DAY EARTH DAY
With the April 22 Earth Day approaching, our partner Grist wants to remind you that living an environmentally-friendly life is not about how you choose to live one day of the year. It's about the choices you make every day. To help make every day Earth Day, Grist is offering a free download of their book "Wake up and Smell the Planet" to anyone who joins one of their free email lists. You'll also be entered to win a trip for two to the Bonnaroo music festival. Check out Grist.org.
With the April 22 Earth Day approaching, our partner Grist wants to remind you that living an environmentally-friendly life is not about how you choose to live one day of the year. It's about the choices you make every day. To help make every day Earth Day, Grist is offering a free download of their book "Wake up and Smell the Planet" to anyone who joins one of their free email lists. You'll also be entered to win a trip for two to the Bonnaroo music festival. Check out Grist.org.
