Yesterday we pointed out how an island shown on a map 50 years ago was cited (because it appears today and was finally given a name) as “proof” of Greenland ice melt. Now some heavy hitters are weighing in saying that the new Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World, has significant portions of its climate change and Greenland section all wrong. The Danish Meteorological Institute is now panning the atlas, and Richard Betts, who wrote sections of the atlas, is now complaining about misrepresentation by the Guardian. Atlasgate anyone?
From DMI (via Google Translate h/t Tom Nelson): Times Atlas represents the ice cap is too small
“There is no scientific evidence that the area of the Greenland ice sheet since 1999 has shrunk by 15% as the latest edition of the ‘Times Atlas shows,” says climate researcher Ruth Mottram, DMI.
In the latest edition of the British ‘Times Atlas’ is the area of Greenland’s ice sheet decreased by 15% during the period from 1999 to 2011. It must reflect the effects of global warming. But there is no scientific evidence for the claim that is overrated and not based on robust measurements.
‘Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World’ was first published in 1899 and is the standard reference atlas in large parts of the world.
The marked difference between the two ‘Times atlas’-map of Greenland for 1999 and 2011 is that the coastline especially on the east side is no longer covered by ice. The true picture is another.
Dirty ice covered in some places of newly fallen snow on the east coast of Greenland near Mestersvig at Kong Oscars Fjord. Photo: Michele Citterio. Copyright GEUS.
The error may have occurred if katograferne from the ‘Times Atlas have used satellite images of Greenland to assess ice spatial distribution.
“When I look at satellite images of Greenland, it looks real enough dark along the coast, but that does not mean that the ice has disappeared” says climate researcher and continues: “The dark color is caused by dirt, dust and volcanic ash that makes the ice dark especially in Southeast Greenland. ”
The area of the ice cap has diminished with the wrong ratios in the ‘Times Atlas, but it does not change that shrinks the ice in Greenland. In the period 2003 to 2008 are missing from 168 to 268 billion tons of ice, equivalent to four to six feet of water evenly over Denmark.
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h/t to WUWT reader Peter Sørensen for flagging the DMI story in comments. Looking at that “dirty snow” in the photo above brings me back to the issue of black soot, which willmake the albedo change enough that even a little sun in below freezing temperatures can have an effect.
Soot easier to control than CO2 – may help Arctic ice
Greenland Ground Zero for Global Soot Warming
Related:
HBig tip…..
In the bishop hill comments section about this story.
Richard Betts is really annoyed, he wrote the climate change section for the Atlas.
He says that is not what he wrote, he is going to complain to the editors and the GUARDIAN
Richard Betts, is Head of Climate Impact for, UK Met Office, and an AR4 working gp 1 contributor, and a lead author for IPCC AR5, working group2
He sounds quite annoyed by media misinformation, and was twittering about it as well.
Richard Betts, Met Office & IPCC:
“I’m not happy. I wrote the climate change section for this Atlas and didn’t say any of that Greenland rubbish!
I have contacted the editors.
Sep 17, 2011 at 11:53 AM | Richard Betts”
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@Ric Verme
“Der er et yndigt land”
Area of Denmark 43000 sq. kms.
“der står med brede bøge”
Area of land på earth: 149.000.000 sq. kms.
“nær salten østerstrand”
Ratio Danmarks to landarea: 3465
“Det bugter sig i bakke, dal”
Surface area earth: 500.000.000 sq. kms.
“det hedder gamle Danmark”
Ratio Danmarks til earth: 11628
“og det er Frejas sal”
“og det er Frejas sal”.
Adam Oehlensschäger 1823
But the national anthem equates 1 Denmark to 1 earth, of course.
Happy Birthday Anthony, and thank you for all you do for us.
Tilo Reber says:
September 17, 2011 at 8:27 am
>>
Isn’t it interesting that Vidal wouldn’t allow comments on his article about the 15% Greenland ice decrease. I tried to point out the error on the next article by him and he deleted my comment.
>>
Posting comments is like farting in a hurricane. I suggest you email a complaint when they get things wrong : reader@guardian.co.uk cc: environment@guardian.co.uk
If they think you make a reasonable point you get an automated thank you , otherwise nothing. I have sent comments on several matters and they do read them and take notice.
Tell them where they’re wrong and preferable a reliable source of correct info.
Vidal is a nutter in the same category as McKibben but the paper is not all bad.
I see that the BBC has picked up the controversy, with more evidence that the ice issue was overstated in order to drum up publicity for the new atlas. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14969399
from that BBC link:
Leading UK polar scientists say the Times Atlas of the World was wrong to assert that it has had to re-draw its map of Greenland due to climate change.
The Scott Polar group, which includes director Julian Dowdeswell, says the claim of a 15% loss in just 12 years is wrong.
“Recent satellite images of Greenland make it clear that there are in fact still numerous glaciers and permanent ice cover where the new Times Atlas shows ice-free conditions and the emergence of new lands,” they say in a letter that has been sent to the Times.
“We do not know why this error has occurred, but it is regrettable that the claimed drastic reduction in the extent of ice in Greenland has created headline news around the world.
“There is to our knowledge no support for this claim in the published scientific literature.”