The Arctic ice is melting faster than even the most pessimistic forecasts of just a few years ago. Norwegian climate experts have worried about the Arctic for years, while also noting how glaciers on the Norwegian mainland are shrinking by the year.
Now researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in the US claim that if greenhouse emissions continue at the current rate, the ice in the Arctic will gradually disappear and be gone from large portions of the North Pole by 2040.
They note that average temperatures in the Arctic have risen as much as four degrees during the past 50 years, double the global average. Researcher Marika Holland said the ice will likely remain stable until 2025 but then will disappear quickly.
Meanwhile, Oslo residents woke up to balmy temperatures of nearly 10C (50F) on Tuesday, with the first blue skies in days. It was even 9C at higher elevations including Tryvann, where a newly expanded ski center normally would be in full operation. This year, there's no snow in sight.
A local ornithologist noted that birds have started singing again because of the warm temperatures, thinking it's time to establish their territory on the eve of a new nesting season.
The unseasonably warm temperatures have also led to sightings of insects normally dormant at this time of year, while lawns are green and some plants are starting to blossom again. There's even been a pollen report already, something that normally isn't necessary until March at the earliest.
