Quote:
Originally Posted by Billy Tallent
As has been stated, ice pack growth does not equal cold. Changing weather patterns could result in greater winter precipitation, but I'm guessing.
Also, if you go back to the original wiki link, and if you want, to the cited studies, you will note that the ice pack growth is not statistically significant (i.e. not big enough to be considered real). Furthermore, at 0.8% per decade, it is highly dependent on the time frame examined. Some periods show more growth, some show less, some show loss.
Short answer: The antarctic ice pack is not growing.
The scientist is not flat out lying.
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I'll re-read it, but from the articles Devil's posted, it states the growth on the eastern side of Antarctica is very real and due to cooling caused by disrupted weather patterns due to the hole in the ozone layer. The western regions have warmed slightly, but the melting occurring there is not enough to offset the growth on the eastern ice pack.
Again, I haven't done all the reading that you likely have, I'm just looking at this from what I think is a common sense point of view. Which I why I need to ask, if ice pack growth doesn't equal cold, why does ice pack shrinkage equal warm (every article I read states it does)? If colder temperatures don't mean more ice freezes, why do warmer temperatures mean more ice melts?
This leads me to think you're suggesting some other factor is affecting both the growth and shrinkage occurring at the ice caps.
Just so I'm clear, I'm still on the fence regarding global warming. That's why I ask these questions... just looking for more information and opinions on which to come to my own decision. I currently think it is a real phenomenon, but is only one of many factors contributing to changes we are seeing around the world. I just think it's getting too much attention and too much is being blamed on it, that we may be failing to give other factors enough attention and will pay for these mistakes down the road.