Warming In The Arctic Could Have Far-Reaching Consequences For U.S. And Planet

A new study released today by the World Wildlife Fund says that rapid climate change in the Arctic is happening faster than expected, with major impacts well beyond the region, including changing weather patterns, flooding coastal areas and accelerate climate change.

“This is not about the Arctic, it’s what the Arctic means to the rest of the world and this study paints a truly sobering picture of the future if it continues to warm and melt,” said Dr. Martin Sommerkorn, “Warming in the Arctic will have negative consequences not just for polar bears, but for people across America and throughout the world. Simply put, if we do not keep the Arctic cold enough, people across the world will suffer the effects.”
 
With sea ice expected to recede to near-record levels later this month, the study, Arctic Climate Feedbacks: Global Implications [PDF], found growing evidence that some of the anticipated impacts on the atmosphere have already emerged. Keya Chatterjee, acting director of climate change with WWF-US, states that, “The planet’s alarm system is blaring loudly and we need to wake up and take action. “We need to pass legislation in the U.S. and secure a global treaty to cut our emissions now and prepare for the rapidly emerging consequences of climate change.” To read more about this report, see press release. To find out what you can do to help pass comprehensive climate legislation, see WWF’s ‘take action’ page.