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In the News

Melting ice probably isn’t causing extreme winter weather, but there is a connection

August 15, 2019

Climate change skeptics often point to recent, record-breaking winters as evidence against global warming. But in reality, greenhouse gases may be just as responsible for extreme winters as they are for heat waves. For decades, experts have observed that melting ice in the Arctic (caused by climate change) coincides with unusually bitter winters at lower latitudes. Jim Overland is quoted. 

Link: Melting ice probably isn’t causing extreme winter weather, but there is a connection

Vanishing Ice in Bering Sea Threatens US Food Resource

June 03, 2019

In Early 2018, a blanket of ice was expected to cover much of Bering Sea's eastern part between the borders of Russia and Alaska. However, when it did not, James Overland, an oceanographer looked into the deviation.

Link: Vanishing Ice in Bering Sea Threatens US Food Resource

Podcast: How robots are revolutionizing chemical oceanography

May 22, 2019

Robots in the ocean are giving scientists more details about processes above and below the surface that affect our weather, our food supply, and more. They’re also helping chemical oceanographers understand and record the effects that climate change is having on our waters. Drs. Jessica Cross and Nancy Williams are featured on the podcast discussing their ocean carbon research using ocean robots such as Saildrone.

Link: Podcast: How robots are revolutionizing chemical oceanography

Vanishing Bering Sea ice threatens one of the richest U.S. seafood sources

May 15, 2019

When ice failed to cover much of the eastern Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia in early 2018, oceanographer James Overland chalked it up to a freak chance. Then, it happened again this year, with late-winter sea ice falling to some of the lowest levels seen in at least 4 decades. Drs. Jim Overland and Phyllis Stabeno are quoted. 

Link: Vanishing Bering Sea ice threatens one of the richest U.S. seafood sources

Scientists: Southeast Alaska vulnerable to ocean acidification

February 21, 2019

Southeast Alaska is poised to be among the first regions in the world affected by ocean acidification. The Alaska Ocean Acidification Network hosted a public presentation Wednesday about the phenomenon that is making ocean water more acidic, and Alaska scientists explained why Southeast is likely to be impacted more quickly than other parts of the world. Jessica Cross is quoted. 

Link: Scientists: Southeast Alaska vulnerable to ocean acidification

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