An international study conducted by 120 scientists from 11 countries has concluded that the warming phenomenon in the Arctic is unavoidable, and adaptation to this change is necessary.
According to David Barber, an expert on sea ice from the University of Manitoba (Canada), the Arctic ice cover has been melting at a rate of 74,000 square kilometers per year—an area equivalent to Lake Superior in North America—and this has been occurring for the past 30 years. The scientific community believes that various factors are increasingly exacerbating the situation, making it impossible to reverse.
Scientist Louis Fortier from Laval University (Canada), who leads the research, asserts: “To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, we need to reassess our lifestyles starting tomorrow. We must eliminate the use of cars and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 to 80%, but all of this will pose significant challenges.”
According to Fortier, the Kyoto Protocol is merely a small step in the right direction, akin to “a baby learning to walk.” However, North America and Europe need to improve their efforts twentyfold compared to the targets set by Kyoto to effect meaningful change.
The scientists involved in this extensive research, which began in 2002, gathered this week in Winnipeg to discuss and share their findings.
