On a streetcar named denial, Watts and Goddard assert: “Arctic Basin ice generally looks healthier than 20 years ago.”

Must-see video here for ice junkies, background here:  “Arctic Ocean is full of rotten ice.”

“Anomalies for each day are calculated relative to the average over the 1979 -2009 period for that day to remove the annual cycle.”  [And yes, "anomaly" is a poor word choice for a long-term trend driven by human emissions.]

Back in mid-May, I argued the Arctic is poised to see record low sea ice volume this year.  Since then, volume has plummeted some 3000 km3 (relative to its recent historical average) to “19,000 km3, the lowest May volume over the 1979-2010 period, 42% below the 1979 maximum and 32% below the 1979-2009 May average,” according to the Polar Science Center, which has the best Arctic ice volume model around.

If I’m reading their historical average right, we’re probably below 10,000 km3 now.  The September minimum record was set 9 months ago, at 5,800 km3.

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At least that’s what Wikipedia says.

But my daughter keeps me young at heart.  And the blog keeps my neurons firing.  Thanks for that.

For my b’day, consider either buying my book or posting a globally heart-warming story — think “Chicken Soup for the Climate Science Realist’s Soul,” since I don’t expect to see that book anytime soon….

Think Progress has the story of the Wall Street front group “Club for Growth” and the candidates it supports.

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Several questionable chemicals are used in the manufacturing of outdoor products. Outdoor lovers can purchase recycled or durable equipment, or trade or rent used products to minimize the use of these chemicals.  CAP has the story in this repost.

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