Concerns on sea-level rise, but some 'good news'?....video from Yale Climate Connections

"The video can serve as a valuable instructional tool for those wanting to better explain or understand global sea-level rise trends and prospects. There are some painful, and even dire, concerns expressed about the potential that Greenland ice sheets could be “entirely lost” if emissions continue at a business-as-usual pace; about the rate of sea-level rise increasing “faster and faster with time”; and about the planet’s ice sheets likely becoming “more active” over coming decades than they have been over recent decades.

But scientist Eric Rignot, PhD, of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, whose research about three years ago pointed to bleak long-term glacier melt prospects for the western Antarctica, says he holds out hope for some “pretty good news.” "

Largest Glacial Calving Event Ever Recorded on Camera

Following is the You Tube link to the video I showed in our OLLI Oceans and Climate Change class on March 13, 2018:

Short segment from Chasing Ice

NASA - Vital Signs of Climate Change

Greenland from the air, April 17, 2010 - Bill Fintel photo

This NASA Link provides the latest World data in graphic form on Carbon Dioxide, Global Temperature, Arctic Sea Ice Minimum, Land Ice, and Sea Level.

I am looking forward to our Osher Lifelong Learning class on Oceans and Climate Change, beginning March 13, 2018, in Lewes, DE.

Retreating Glaciers

Following is a link to a short portion of the movie "Chasing Ice". I have seen the entire movie, and whether you have or haven't, I still encourage you to watch this short LINK.

Chasing Ice - an excellent climate change film

Sally and I just saw Chasing Ice at the Rehoboth Beach Film Festival. It conveys a very important message about climate change, and the photography is awesome. We heartily recommend it.

It will be shown again this Sat night at 9:25 pm, and probably also as an audience favorite some time this coming Sat or Sun. See Rehoboth Film for more details.

Greenland Ice Sheet, Melting Accelerates

Orange on the above figure indicates where satellites measured increased melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet in 2011

For details about the measurements, see the title link. There is a phenomena involved called "Arctic Amplification". From the Arctic Report Card issued Dec 1, 2011:
"The amplification of warming in the Arctic reflects a powerful feedback between the region’s ice covers and air temperature. As air temperature increases, ice melts; as the bright, reflective ice melts, it reveals darker ocean and land surfaces. These dark surfaces absorb more solar energy during the Arctic’s summer season, when the Sun never sets. This causes more heating, which causes more melting…and so on."

Complete melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet would cause sea levels to rise 6.5 meters, or 21 feet. (USGS fs002-00)

New Study on Sea Level Rise - Gloomier than ever

The linked study led by the University of Arizona predicts sea levels could rise by as much as a meter by 2100. This "would be enough to flood 90 percent of New Orleans, 33 percent of Virginia Beach, Va., and 18 percent of Miami, according to scientists."

The UA research focused on warmer oceans leading to faster glacial melting in Greenland and Antarctica. They also point out that at some point the melting becomes irreversible, even if we manage to reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically (which is unlikely to happen any time soon).