Ocean currents causing arctic melting...?

Question

...at least some of it, according to this article in the New Scientist (normally a very pro-global warming magazine):

http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/mg19826533.900-arctic-currents-may-be-warming-the-world.html

Apparently a cyclical ocean current could explain a lot of the unexpectedly fast melting of ice in the arctic. A change in water flow is directing warm air towards the arctic which is causing some of the melting.

This warming of the arctic also means less heat from other parts of the northern hemisphere is lost. The article goes on to say that this effect could account for 0.2 of the 0.5 oC of warming seen in the NH in the past 30-odd years. So 0.1oC of the global temperature change.

Obviously, that is a highly significant proportion. So, what do you think?

Answer 1

We have been learning, since the days of Babylon, and at an increasing rate lately, that there is much to be learned and it isn't always as cut and dry as some people try to make it.

Answer 2

Yes - Clearly there's more to the Arctic ice than just a scant 0.5 degree increase in temperatures.

The Ocean currents are never constant, they change over time as a part of a natural cycle.  Now the winds and currents are flowing in a direction that should have less melting this year than other years.

It's just real easy to blame everything on global warming.

Answer 3

I think you ought to reflect on this comment from Morison, from JPL press release someone else linked to:

'Morison cautioned that while the recent decadal-scale changes in the circulation of the Arctic Ocean may not appear to be directly tied to global warming, most climate models predict the Arctic Oscillation will become even more strongly counterclockwise in the future. "The events of the 1990s may well be a preview of how the Arctic will respond over longer periods of time in a warming world," he said.'

In other words, climate models predicted the change in circulation that was observed.  

Below is an article on the decline of multi-year sea ice in the arctic, and an image of the trend.  I guess one could hope that it is just natural climate variability that is happening at precisely the same time as when anthropogenic changes were predicted to occur.

Answer 4

Much of the info was released in November.

"Our study confirms many changes seen in upper Arctic Ocean circulation in the 1990s were mostly decadal in nature, rather than trends caused by global warming," said Morison.

Answer 5

It may have something to do with it--but no, that's not entirely responsible for the Arctic's collapse. It's just another pathetic attempt by the deniers to point out every fact that comes out supporting their opinions, meanwhile ignoring the overwhelming evidence that not only is global warming happening, but it is our fault. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's the truth.

Answer 6

check this out

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/...

Answer 7

yes i saw this i have been trying to picture it. i looked for a way to reproduce the whole article, i'm going to pass the buck for cheating ns of its royalties or whatever and link to someone else who did;

3rd entry down;

http://forums.orange.co.uk/n/pfx/forum.a...

Answer 8

So what caused the shift in currents?  JELLO didn't read the link!

Also - The key word here is "contributing".  Uh... get it?