Arctic Tipping Points - #2: Some Feedback Mechanisms

In part #1: Background And Recent History I wrote:

The global warming trend observed in direct measurements and a very wide range of proxy data since about 1860 has led many climate researchers to discuss the possibility that we humans are engineering a new tipping point through our profligate use of fossil fuels.

Of particular concern is the possibility that if the Arctic is ice free in summer, or if the Greenland ice sheet shrinks, or worse: both, then climate change may be inevitable and irreversible.

Some Notes On Data Smoothing


The topic of data filtering can be pretty obscure for the general public.  Taking raw data and smoothing out the lumps can seem like deliberate falsification.  It isn't.


In the early days of space exploration it was only possible to produce images of fairly low resolution.  Special techniques were used to enhance the images.

In the first image, below, I have colorised a block of 9 pixels to demonstrate a simple set of image enhancement techniques.  Each pixel in an image is compared to its immediate neighbors and an operation is performed to filter the picture.  It could hardly be simpler.

Well Done, My Old China


In London, U.K. 'my old china' is a friendly term for 'friend'.  It originated in the rhyming slang expression: 'china plate', rhyming with 'mate'.

Edit: a reader has spotted an error.  The reference should be to an interview, not a visit.

In a recent visit to Australia interview on Australian TV, US President Barack Obama on Thursday said China can't be allowed to wait until its standard of living improves before tackling climate change.

"It is in our interests, both of our countries interests for China to be successful, for China to be prosperous, because that means they're more likely to be stable," he said.

Arctic Tipping Points - #1: Background And Recent History

It is Spring, and with each passing day a greater area of Arctic sea ice has 24 hours of - albeit weak - sunshine every day. It is not surprising to see ice melting in these Lands Of The Midnight Sun.  What is surprising to many is the current extent of ice, and rate of loss, compared with past records.

"Every school boy learns that at the two ends of the earth the year is composed of one day and one night of equal length, and the intervening periods of twilight; but the mere recital of that fact makes no real impression on his consciousness. "

Volcano in Iceland Grounds UK Flights

Edit: for latest updates please see comments, below.

A volcanic ash cloud in UK airspace has left tens of thousands of travellers returning from Easter holidays facing long delays in getting home.  All non-emergency flights have been banned within UK airspace.

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Thurs April 15, 09:30