Re: Alaska Heat
It's not just Alaska but the entire Boreal forest.
Global Warming and the Fate of the Northern Boreal Forests
June 1998
Introduction
The northern boreal forests comprise almost one third of the Earth's forest systems, covering 1.5 billion hectares. Along with the temperate forest of the mid-latitudes, and tropical forest near the equator, it is one of the three great forest ecosystems of the world, supporting a rich diversity of wildlife, endangered species, and extremely valuable timber.
Unfortunately, over half of the existing boreal forest may disappear, due to the effects of climate change. Over the next 30 to 50 years, atmospheric levels of human-emitted greenhouse gases are expected to double, creating significant changes in the Earth's climate. Conditions may become too severe for boreal forest health and survival of its species, and up to 65 percent of the forest may be lost.
greenpeace.org
Global warming creates grim future for forests
Wednesday, March 06, 2002
By Kanina Holmes, Reuters
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Global warming is becoming an increasing threat to forests in much of the world, paving the way for fires, droughts, and pest infestations, officials told an environmental conference Tuesday.
Ola Ullsten, former Swedish prime minister and co-chairman of the World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development, said the latest evidence indicates that more than half the world's boreal forest could disappear due to the effect of climate change as conditions shift.
"It's a very severe problem," said Ullsten ahead of a conference in Winnipeg attended by timber industry representatives and environmentalists. "If you want to illustrate the environmental dilemma the world is in, I think what has happened to the boreal forest in Manitoba — or you can probably take some other provinces as well — is a very good or tragic example of what might happen if actions aren't taken."
enn.com |
