There is an interesting explanation on NASA's Earth Observatory site on how (and if) the Earth is warming up, or cooling down. And why. A 4 page worth a read:
Earth Observatory Feature: Earth\'s Temperature Tracker
Quote:
Originally Posted by PointRadix
Climatologists expect more heat for 2008
23 March 2008
Climate experts predict that, despite icy conditions at the start of the year, 2008 is on track to developing into one of the warmest years since systematic records began in the 1860’s.
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This news article from March 18 reports that although Arctic ice has recovered some levels due to the cold temperatures this winter, these are young ice layers thinner than the compact, perennial ices which are the one that survive through the warmer seasons.
EO News: Researchers Say Arctic Sea Ice Still at Risk Despite Cold Winter - March 18, 2008
The picture below compares the levels of perennial ices of an average February from 1985 to 2000, with those of February 2008. The darker blue is the extension of perennial ices, and the lighter are those of younger ices.
Since the thinner (younger) ices are likelier to melt under warm temperatures, I wonder if the existance of such a vast extension of young ices will not release an excessive quantity of Arctic water that would produce a cooling effect in northern Europe during the Summer. Not to mention an unusual raise of sea levels over the coming years, if the trend continues, which could reclaim coastal lowlands into the seas.
EO Newsroom: New Images - Arctic Sea Ice Younger than Normal
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'Dardanidae duri, quae uos a stirpe parentum
prima tulit tellus, eadem uos ubere laeto
accipiet reduces. Antiquam exquirite matrem:
hic domus Aeneae cunctis dominabitur oris,
et nati natorum, et qui nascentur ab illis.'
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.