We have 5 years left to prevent a worst-case global warming scenario in the Arctic – Mashable
Article Synopsis – A new study on arctic melting was released on Tuesday. About 90 scientists helped produce the report, while more than two-dozen experts peer-reviewed the results. The report found that even with rapid action to curb global warming pollutants like carbon dioxide and methane, the Arctic most of us grew up with — featuring thick sea ice making the region virtually impenetrable year-round — is gone, and is not likely to return anytime in the next century. Based on computer model projections, the report states that average fall and winter temperatures in the Arctic will increase up to 5 degrees Celsius, or 9 degrees Fahrenheit, above late 20th century values by the middle of the century, even if relatively stringent greenhouse gas emissions cuts are made. Meeting the Paris Agreement targets would help slow the pace and reduce the severity of Arctic warming, but it “would not stabilize the loss of Arctic glaciers, ice sheets, and ice caps,” the report states. The changes are cumulative, and so what we do in the next 5 years is really important on slowing down the changes that will happen in the next 30 or 40 years. To read the actual article click here.