No Escape: Thaw Gains Momentum - New York Times

No Escape: Thaw Gains Momentum - New York Times: "No Escape: Thaw Gains Momentum




By ANDREW C. REVKIN
Published: October 25, 2005

In 1969 Roy Koerner, a Canadian government glaciologist, was one of four men (and 36 dogs) who completed the first surface crossing of the Arctic Ocean, from Alaska through the North Pole to Norway.
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The frozen Arctic Ocean near Resolute Bay in Canada.
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LOSING GROUND Sea ice near the North Pole. Bright Arctic Ocean ice reflects sunlight, but open dark water absorbs it, warming in the process. As more ice melts, more open water could amplify the warming trend.

Now, he said, such a trek would be impossible: there is just not enough ice. In September, the area covered by sea ice reached a record low. 'I look on it as a different world,' Dr. Koerner said. 'I recently reviewed a proposal by one guy to go across by kayak.'"