Dramatic Changes in Polar Ice: Are We Waking Sleeping Giants

Google Tech Talk
August 10, 2009

ABSTRACT

Presented by Waleed Abdalati.

From disappearing Arctic sea ice to the rapid acceleration of Greenland and Antarcticas outlet glaciers, the Earths ice cover is changing in remarkable ways. Because ice plays a critical role in shaping our planets environment, understanding changes like these is crucial. Scientists ability to investigate the dramatic behavior of the Earths vast and remote frozen regions has been greatly enhanced in recent years by the development of sophisticated satellite observation capabilities. The space-based view provides both perspective and context that enable new insights into how and why ice is changing and what these changes may mean for life on Earth.

Dr. Abdalati is Director of the Earth Science and Observation Center and Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Colorado. His research focuses on the development and application of remote sensing techniques to understand changes in high-latitude glaciers and ice sheets. From 1996 to 2008 he held various positions at NASA in which he conducted and oversaw NASA-funded research efforts and on glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, and polar climate.. He has also been heavily involved in the scientific development of NASAs Ice Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) and its planned successor, ICESat-2, which have as their primary objective understanding changes in the Earths polar ice cover. Dr. Abdalati received his Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 1991 and 1996 respectively, and from 1986 to 1990 he worked as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry. He has received various honors and awards for his research and service to NASA including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from the White House.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• google
• tech
• talk
• environment
• climate
• change

[lupu1001]

I like his style. Straight on: "this is what we know!" No estimates, no theory talk, just facts.

[sakathecheetah]

what a convenient belief.... I don't think you can completely deny that humans have not have some contribution. It's exactly this kind of denial that contributes to the problem.

[SuperDickweed]

5000th viewer!!! Whoo-Hoo!!!

A big stool doesn't always mean a clogged toilet.

[gimmiefoodz]

This video has saved me from Earth Observation revion stress! I'm feeling enthusiastic about this for the first time!

[oomblikkies]

Why would the west of Antartica melts more than the eastern part? Well, look at a map - the answer is there for those who want to see it - the western part is just an extension of the Ring of Fire running all the way down western South America and into the western part of Antartica. Submerged volcanic activity due to plate tectonics are causing this. On the Greenland topic - just remind me how the place got its name?

[shintsu01]

amazing talk really high quality material this should get more attention! thanks for this lecture made me go to bad way to late :P

[juggernautxtr]

boy i just left 23 feet of ocean rise my ass

[griniiohgf]

im studying environmental science at a uni in south australia, done a bit of research and there is evidence that CO2 follows a rise in temp not the other way around. so the current change in temperature may not be completely mans fault, however this is just one view point. but we still need to change the way we use nat resources, we are runnin out quick! check out 'home' on youtube, very interesting.

[citizenschallengeYT]

What a fantastic lecture

should be on prime time

thank you

[Sosserian]

An excellent video!

[PRIMEx420]

"if you think a little", then yeah, i can see introducing more chemicals into a complex system we're just barely starting to understand is a totally 'why the hell not?" type of an idea... if, on the other hand you make a regular habit of thinking, if say, you do it both for a living and as a hobby, then it seems like just the sort of short-sighted 'patchwork' solution that would leave the future generations with ecological problems that dwarf our current ones in comparison. bainaokthx.

[84082615]

well if you think a little it would be possible to make it unless science, therefore scientists, prove it wrong.

also, my idea was to develop a chemical that is like alcohol, with a lower boiling point than water, but working the opposite way WITHOUT altering the seawater's original components.

or something like that, me not scientist btw, but i do understand the meaning of "ecologic".