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Rapid melting of ice in the Antarctic

parts of the Antarctic ice caps were melting at unprecedented rates.

“The role of scientists is not to be alarmists, and not to downplay the data, but simply to report it.”

Antarctic climate facing ‘rapid’ changes: chief scientist, The Age,  October 16, 2012 -Australia’s chief Antarctic scientist says claims by climate experts about environmental changes in the southern continent are not alarmist.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) told a Senate estimates hearing today “rapid changes” taking place across the icy land mass would have significant impact on global climate.
Changes in ocean flows and shifts in Antarctic ice cap levels were occurring at rates faster than at any other time in history, chief scientist Nick Gales said. ”That’s the part that is the most dramatic about the information we’re receiving,” he told the hearing.

Scientists were detecting major changes in the circulation of deep,
dense salty water off Antarctica.
This water, which drives the circulation of the world’s oceans and in
turn climate patterns, was reducing, while becoming warmer and less
salty.
Meanwhile, parts of the Antarctic ice caps were melting at unprecedented rates.
“The findings around changes in Antarctica and the southern oceans are
critically important to driving world climate,” Dr Gales said.
“That is the engine room of a large amount of world climate, so
changes there are important.”
He dismissed suggestions the claims were alarmist, adding scientists
were “by definition” sceptics and based their conclusions only on
testing data.
Australian scientists “overwhelmingly” report on the basis of their
findings, and strive to make clear statements about uncertainties.
There was “no doubt” scientists were observing rapid environment and
climatic changes in Antarctica, Dr Gales said.
“The role of scientists are not to be alarmists, and not to downplay
the data, but simply to report it.
“We take that responsibility, certainly through the Antarctic program,
really seriously.”
The hearing was told a major, multinational research operation was
under way to measure any changes occurring to the enormous expanse of
Antarctic sea ice.
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/climate-change/antarctic-climate-facing-rapid-changes-chief-scientist-20121016-27ohg.html#ixzz29aBZM4Mx

October 17, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, oceans