Major analysis finds “less ice covers the Arctic today than at any time in recent geologic history.”
“This ice loss appears to be unmatched over at least the last few thousand years and unexplainable by any of the known natural variabilities.”
September 8, 2010
In other words, they don’t really know is causing what they think they are seeing.
The current reduction in Arctic ice cover started in the late 19th century, consistent with the rapidly warming climate, and became very pronounced over the last three decades.
In other words, warming started before the invention of the automobile.
The paleo data we have so far is very scant, so we can’t know for sure when the Arctic was ice free in the summer last time.
In other words, they don’t have enough data to back up Joe’s claims. The also have no idea when the Arctic will be ice free next time.
If I point any of this out on his site, my posts will of course be censored.
I looked through the NSIDC archive, and couldn’t find any satellite data from several thousand years ago. What was Arctic ice extent on August 8, 2431 B.C.?
Steven,
Excellent! Keep up the good work – I just don’t know how you can stomach Joe Romm – better you than me!!
You wrote: “What was Arctic ice extent on August 8, 2431 B.C.?” We’ll just have to ask the advanced extraterrestrial aliens that built the pyramids for the Egyptians. sarc/off
Thanks Greg, and I think you have the correct answer.
Well check this out!!
http://www.ngu.no/en-gb/Aktuelt/2008/Less-ice-in-the-Arctic-Ocean-6000-7000-years-ago/
We wouldn’t want to let actual data get in the way of “very scant” data when making our conclusions!
Unless you are Lord Oxburgh!
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=6581
Has to be listened to so that you can understand the degree of control exerted. (Last hour only.)
In other words, they don’t really know is causing what they think they are seeing.
Yes, they do: CO2 forcing bringing more energy into the system of oceans and atmosphere. It’s not the known natural variability (a tilt in the planet’s axis, so that it received 40W/m² more solar radiation) that caused the Holocene Climatic Optimum.
The article says that the warming started in the late 19th century. CO2 is going to be a tough argument to make, given the very slow rate of CO2 increase at that time.
So what caused the melting in the MWP?
Came here from WUWT, have now book-marked this site. Thanks for all of your input, very informative!
You are welcome. Thank you!
I commend you for your determination with Romm et. al. I do not suffer fools easily and avoid his site. It is nice to see that some gadflies continue to try to keep him honest – even when there is no hope of that ever becoming true.