The Arctic is experiencing the effects of human-induced climate change, according to a four-year report commissioned by eight nations with territory in the region. The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment is set to be released Nov. 9 in Iceland, but its summary findings were leaked to the New York Times.

The ACIA is a four-year, multimillion dollar undertaking involving the eight nations of the Arctic Council to assess the consequences of climate change on the Arctic region and support policymaking in the area. In November, ACIA Chairman Robert Corell will present the 1,800-page study to ministers in Reykjavik, Iceland. Eight nations comprise ACIA: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russian, Sweden and the United States (Greenwire, Oct. 7).

The report states that a decline in permafrost and a rise in temperatures are changing lifestyles and commerce in high-latitude areas. For a variety of reasons including the reflecting of heat from ice, scientists have said the Arctic is hit harder and faster by climate change.

"While some historical changes in climate have resulted from natural causes and variations, the strength of the trends and the patterns of change that have emerged in recent decades indicate that human influences, resulting primarily from increased emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, have now become the dominant factor," states the report.

Negative changes predicted by the report include a shorter season for oil and gas development due to soggy tundra and rising seas due to the melting of ice sheets. But some could experience benefits from the warmer temperatures, including more fish and easier navigation along routes formerly rendered impassable due to ice (Andrew C. Revkin, Oct. 30).

Although the U.S. government participated in funding the report and hosting meetings, sources involved in the project have said the State Department has questioned the policy recommendations, which are scheduled to be released on Nov. 24.

But researchers said that action must be taken soon. "If you were to put the brakes on right away, it's still going to take a long time for that supertanker to slow down," said Corell. "So there's a time scale issue here that does relate to how you decide what to do and how quickly" (Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post, Oct. 31).

Click here for more information about the ACIA International Scientific Symposium on Climate Change in the Arctic to be held in Reykjavik, Iceland. -- CD [NOTE: Nothing was 'clickable' at originating website.]

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