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Pace of Climate Change Underestimated

posted by martyb on Wednesday August 21 2019, @12:25AM   Printer-friendly
from the that's-science-for-you dept.

An Anonymous Coward writes:

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/scientists-have-been-underestimating-the-pace-of-climate-change/

Recently, the U.K. Met Office announced a revision to the Hadley Center historical analysis of sea surface temperatures (SST), suggesting that the oceans have warmed about 0.1 degree Celsius more than previously thought. The need for revision arises from the long-recognized problem that in the past sea surface temperatures were measured using a variety of error-prone methods such as using open buckets, lamb's wool–wrapped thermometers, and canvas bags. It was not until the 1990s that oceanographers developed a network of consistent and reliable measurement buoys.

[...] But that's where the good news ends. Because the oceans cover three fifths of the globe, this correction implies that previous estimates of overall global warming have been too low. Moreover it was reported recently that in the one place where it was carefully measured, the underwater melting that is driving disintegration of ice sheets and glaciers is occurring far faster than predicted by theory—as much as two orders of magnitude faster—throwing current model projections of sea level rise further in doubt.

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  • (Score: 5, Funny) by krishnoid on Wednesday August 21 2019, @01:03AM (8 children)

    by krishnoid (1156) on Wednesday August 21 2019, @01:03AM (#882886)

    I'll start: I need a hug.

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  • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Wednesday August 21 2019, @01:18AM (7 children)

    by RS3 (6367) on Wednesday August 21 2019, @01:18AM (#882890)

    Hi, I'm a Saguaro... cactus. There will be many more of us around in your future, so I'll gladly hug you. You do have a nice thick hide, no?

    • (Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 21 2019, @03:42AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 21 2019, @03:42AM (#882941)

      I want to shave your spines.

    • (Score: 3, Touché) by krishnoid on Wednesday August 21 2019, @04:08AM (5 children)

      by krishnoid (1156) on Wednesday August 21 2019, @04:08AM (#882953)

      While I appreciate the offer, if I had a thick hide I wouldn't need a hug now, would I? In that case, I'll delicately land on one of your spines like a special snowflake.

      • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Wednesday August 21 2019, @04:35AM (4 children)

        by RS3 (6367) on Wednesday August 21 2019, @04:35AM (#882964)

        It'll have to be special, because when my people cover the earth, there won't be any snowflakes.

        • (Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 21 2019, @04:43AM (2 children)

          by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 21 2019, @04:43AM (#882968)

          At the rate Snow gets around I wouldn't bet on it.

        • (Score: 3, Funny) by DannyB on Wednesday August 21 2019, @05:10PM

          by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday August 21 2019, @05:10PM (#883229) Journal

          Snowflakes will be spared the ravages of climate change, safely preserved in Safe Spaces.

          --
          To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug mouse into other computer. Right-click, paste.