Archive for 15/10/2009

Arctic will be ice-free

Two related articles have come out this week.

Firstly, scientists can now map CO2 levels back 20 million years. Between 20 and 14 million years ago, CO2 levels stood at around 400 ppm - similar to the levels that we are approaching now. Back then, there was no ice caps and sea levels were 25-40 metres (80-130ft) higher than today. These high levels of CO2 were probably due to prolonged volcanic activity. Over the last few million years, CO2 levels were between 180 and 280ppm, compared to 385+ today.

More details can be found here.

Secondly, the Catlin Arctic Survey suggests that the Arctic will be ice-free in summer within 20 years, and most of this loss of ice will happen in just 10 years.

See here for more information.

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