Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Warmest Year Ever Threatens Arctic Wildlife

Greenland ice shelf loses 24 cubic miles to melting

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2008 6:44 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Arctic had its warmest year on record in 2007, and a new government report underscores the unsettling consequences for ice sheets and wildlife, ABC News reports. The report reiterates many of the familiar scenarios of late about the region—sea ice is vanishing at a record pace and permafrost is thawing, and these in turn set off a sort of climate domino effect that spells bad news for polar bears, walruses, and other creatures.

"These are clearly dynamic and dramatic times in the Arctic," says one author of the report, which cites "justifiable concern" for wildlife. It notes, however, that some species might actually benefit from the changes. The report also specifies that the Bering Sea, unlike the rest of the Arctic, is in a prolonged cold phase. "This is a very complicated system, and we are still working diligently to figure out its mysteries," says the researcher.

Ice floes form patterns in Baffin Bay above the arctic circle as viewed from the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent Thursday, July 10, 2008.
Ice floes form patterns in Baffin Bay above the arctic circle as viewed from the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent Thursday, July 10, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Sea birds squabble over the remains of a polar bear on a ice flow in Lancaster Sound. Scientists say different animals will be affected by climate change in very different ways.
Sea birds squabble over the remains of a polar bear on a ice flow in Lancaster Sound. Scientists say different animals will be affected by climate change in very different ways.   (AP Photo)
The ice covered waters near Resolute Bay are seen from the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent Saturday, July 12, 2008.
The ice covered waters near Resolute Bay are seen from the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent Saturday, July 12, 2008.   (AP Photo)
This is an undated file photo shows a polar bear in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
This is an undated file photo shows a polar bear in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Polar Bear Cannibalism May Be Rising

Arctic Melting May Bring New Beast: Polar-Grizzly

Polar Bears' Other Threat: $35K Trophy Hunts

Polar Bear Shot After 200-Mile Swim

Canada Declares Polar Bears 'At Risk'


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne