New satellite data by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has shown that the melt season for Arctic sea ice is now 20 days longer than three decades ago, extending further into both April and September.
Dr. Thorsten Markus of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center highlighted the importance of these earlier melt onset and later freeze dates, due to their immense effect on ecosystems.
The reduced ice cover also means a larger open water area to absorb more heat from the sun, creating even more warming in a cycle that could have a profound effect on global climate.
Moreover, recent first-hand observations by Dr. David Barber of Canada’s University of Manitoba indicate that the situation is even more dire than could be perceived by satellite.
Dr. Barber stated, “Unfortunately, what we found was that the multi-year (ice) has all but disappeared. What's left is this remnant, rotten ice.” Drs. Markus and Barber as well as all participating National Aeronautics and Space Administration and University of Manitoba scientists, we are grateful for your factual observations despite their alarming implications.
Let us all heed the message conveyed by the vanishing Arctic and act quickly to protect the planet for ourselves and our children. With deep concern, Supreme Master Ching Hai has often spoken of the polar ice melt phenomenon, along with a way to halt it, as in an October 2009 videoconference in Germany.