Certainly, we're seeing changes in the jetstream in response to the warmer Arctic. However, it will probably not keep the Arctic from melting as it is the greenhouse effect which is doing most of the warming. Carbon dioxide is spread around the world by wins and diffusion and its concentration at the polls is increasing at the same rate as the rest of the Earth. The carbon dioxide and the feedback loops such as lower albedo is causing the North Pole to warm about twice as fast. The main factor in Antarctica seems to be the warmer oceans, which are undermining the ice sheets in western Antarctica and causing them to melt from below.
The ice caps are melting by global warming and continued increases in greenhouse gas concentration will likely prevent another Ice Age. Some places on the earth, such as England, may experience much more frigid winters as the ice caps melt. England is much warmer than it should be given this latitude because of the Gulf Stream which brings warmer water past it. The influx of fresh water in the Arctic may change the salinity of the ocean and shut down the Gulf Stream, and then winters in England may average -25°C. One of England's favor climate sophists, Lord Monckton, has been telling people that instead of addressing global warming that we should just adapt. I hope he is still around if that happened so he can tell his compatriots to "just adapt" to those temperatures.
No. The reduction of an the ice caps is a warming feedback. Less light is reflected back to space and more energy is absorbed by the ocean, thus accelerating the warming.
The growth of ice sheets leading to what most people think of as an ice age requires a reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere and it cannot happen with CO2 as high as it is. Naturally ice ages are triggered by low levels of sunlight -- due to the long term cycles of earth's orbit at tilt -- at the 65 parallel north during summer. These conditions won't happen for more than 50,000 years.
As for warm weather getting to the Arctic, we can look at this winter which has been so warm that many of the practice races for the Iditarod have been cancelled. Typically temperatures are sub 0 but have been in the 30 and 40s F this year.
The thawing of the ice caps affects the jet stream, causing it to dip further south. When that happens, cold storms are carried further to the south in the U.S. while warmer air then moves into the Arctic regions.
If the ice caps melt it is the lands at sea level that will suffer as the sea level rises as well as having a Drastic effect on Climatic conditions as the ice caps are the world's air conditioner so temperatures will rise so an Ice Age No
Some parts of Europe are expected to get colder (temporarily) because the ocean current that takes warm water from the tropics is expected to stop flowing due to the fresh water from the ice melt being lighter then salt water. I guess this might be confusing to some people.
Another ice age could happen a long time from now, but not because of AGW. By then the science and technology will be advanced enough to prevent it more efficiently then today.
Nobody really knows, there are many possibilities, melting icecaps could stop the atlantic conveyor Gulf Stream, which could cause an ice age, melting ice caps could also push the jet stream further south cause increased snowfall on the northern hemisphere land mass, which could cause an ice age, and the again the opposite could happen.
There is some proof that previous ice ages were preceded by very warm periods.
The Earths climate is a very complicated package which has jet to be understood.
What a coincidence Tammie, that's something I've also considered No. The reduction of an the ice caps is a warming feedback. Less light is reflected back to space and more energy is absorbed by the ocean, thus accelerating the warmin Hope you find the answer you're looking for Tammie!
If the ice melts then it will turn into water.Then how in the world it would turn into ice age, it would be something like flood age 90 to 95% of land under water.
Before I wash my hair, I'll have to comment thus: Certainly, we're seeing changes in the jetstream in response to the warmer Arctic. However, it will probably not keep the Arctic from melting as it is the greenhouse effeGotta catch the bus!
YES! It is a serious problem and one that affects us all! I wish more people would have your smarts, the entire planet needs to work together to stop stuff like this happening. If we go into an iceage then we will not only all be cold but will have to dress like Eskimos and then dogs and cats will get together and lead to all kinds of unholy aberrations.
There is evidence that global climate has been on a steady decline for at least 2000 years. The earth is heading into an ice age now.
i need serious answers!! if the warmer air cannot get to the ice caps to melt them a little like normal, can we go into another ice age?
When ice melts in my glass of water it doesn't overflow.
It's a rum question Tammie, and my answer is: It is normal for ice glaciers to Hope you find the answer you're looking for Tammie!
It is normal for ice glaciers to
melt. Ice glaciers either break off
into smaller icebergs and melt
directly into the sea, or melt on
land and form rivers that will
empty into the sea.
Sea water is evaporating
constantly and is replaced by
melting glacier water. A problem
here occurs when the snow
replenishing it is less than the
melted water. This is exactly
what is happening with most of
the glaciers around the world
today, gradually reducing the size
of the glacier, at the same
increasing the sea water level.
Effects of Melting Ice Glaciers
Glacier ice is melting much faster
today than was expected. This
has got serious effects on the
earth, mostly negative.
Global Warming
Temperatures across the globe
have gone upward, helping the
cause of ice glaciers melting
faster than required. In certain
places across the world small ice
glaciers have vanished, exposing
the earth below. Ice glaciers are
able to deflect almost 80% heat
of the sun, absorbing
approximately 20% heat. This
figure gets reversed when
sunlight falls on earth, 80% is
absorbed and only 20% is
deflected back. This in turn helps
in increasing global
temperatures. This leads to an
increase in the temperature of
sea water. Icebergs melt faster.
Added to this is the expansion of
sea water, leading to a rise in sea
water levels.
Fresh Water Shortage
When seen from outer space, the
earth looks self-sufficient in its
need for water; in reality it is just
the reverse. Almost all this water
seen from space is salt water;
unfit for human use. Just over
2% of this water is freshwater
that is fit for human use; and
over 70% of this 2% make-up
the earths glaciers. Many on
earth depend on the melting
water from glaciers for their
fresh water supply through lakes
and rivers. The melted water gets
renewed as ice on the glacier
through a process known as
precipitation. In many parts of
the world this is the 'only' source
of fresh water supply throughout
the year. An ever-increasing
human population and a rapidly
decreasing glacier mass will lead
to severe fresh water shortage in
the near future (some places like
those surrounding the Himalayas
are already facing a crisis of
fresh water shortage, especially
in the dry months).
Reduced Agricultural Output
Agriculture that depends solely
on rain will be mostly unaffected
by the effects of ice glaciers
melting. Such areas are very few
worldwide and do not contribute
to the major chunk of farmland.
Areas affected will be those that
depend on water emanating
from ice glaciers. During the dry
seasons there will be a shortage
of fresh water from ice glaciers,
making the land dry and
unsuitable for agriculture. Total
agricultural output will reduce,
leading to a shortage of food
grains.
Shortage of Electricity
(Hydroelectric)
There are many places across the
planet that depend solely on the
constant flow of water from
melting glaciers for the
production of electricity. Once
this flow of water is reduced or
stops, the production of
electricity will stop too. Absolutely
no nation can do without
electricity, and will force such
places to adopt different sources
to produce electricity, most of
them that will pollute the earth,
and possibly even help increase
global warming.
Excessive Flooding
How can the same situation of
rapidly melting ice glaciers have
two opposite effects; drought
and flooding. This is a possibility.
In places where there are ice
glaciers on higher altitudes and
they are all melting rapidly, it will
lead to a sudden increase in
water input to rivers, causing
floods all along the river. This
excess water could also lead to
the formation of new lakes
which will keep on increasing in
size. This is a serious cause of
worry, since the water contained
in these lakes could be
tremendous, and the bursting of
such lakes could cause a major
catastrophe all around,
destroying everything in its path.
Rise in Sea-level
Water from melting ice glaciers
on higher altitudes will form
rivers and be emptied into the
sea. A lot of water that melts on
sea-level glaciers gets emptied
directly into the sea. The sea level
is rising constantly at a rate of
approximately 1mm to 2mm per
year. Melting glaciers have a part
to do with this rise. The faster
glaciers across the globe melt,
the more will be the increase in
sea level. The effects of this will
be of unimaginable magnitude.
Coastal regions across the globe
will have to relocate due to
flooding, soil erosion, and
contamination of underground
fresh water with salt water. The
effects of a rising sea level will be
felt first in most coastal areas of
America (north, central, and
south) and most of Asia.
Animal, Bird and Fish Habitat Loss
There are many animals, birds,
and fish that depend solely on
glaciers for survival. Certain
animals need the temperatures
of glaciers for survival. Some bird
species depend on
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