Arctic Ice Melt

2007 and 2008 NASA satellite data indicate that the volume of Arctic sea ice has been dropping drastically. Researchers speculate that within a decade, it is possible the sea could be completely free of ice during the summer months.¹

Fast Facts

1. Summer, 2007: 552 billion tons of ice melted in Greenland²
2. October, 2007: Record 6,000 walruses came ashore in Alaska²
3. Melting ice could reduce available food for whales³
4. Melting permafrost could cause damage to man-made structures such as oil rigs
5. 2006-2007: Alaska permafrost temperature rose four tenths of a degree²
6. If Greenland's ice sheet melted, world sea level would rise 22 feet²

The Arctic Ocean is located in the northern hemisphere and is the smallest of the earth's five oceans. It shares coasts with Russia, Alaska, Norway and Canada. The Arctic is rich in natural resources, including gas and petroleum. This has caused minor territorial disputes between bordering nations which are expected to become more contentious as the global consumption of fuel grows.^{4 1}

Arctic Ice Melt Quote

"An already relentless melting of the Arctic greatly accelerated this summer, a warning sign that some scientists worry could mean global warming has passed an ominous tipping point. One even speculated that summer sea ice would be gone in five years."²

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