Log In

Reset Password

Marine expert warsn of cooler summers and colder winters

OVER the next few decades Bermuda’s temperature will steadily drop, with shorter, cooler summers and colder winters. Why? Because the Gulf Stream, which brings warm water up from the south, is changing — as a result of global warming.That’s according to renowned marine engineering geophysicist and Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) adviser Steve Blasco who, in an exclusive interview with the Mid-Ocean News, highlighted the impact global warming and the melting glaciers and sea-ice canopy will have on the planet and Bermuda — unless each and every one of us do something now.

Over the years, Mr. Blasco’s research has focused on environmental problems in the Arctic, Great Lakes and Bermuda where he is part of a team researching a rise in local sea levels.

Mr. Blasco said Bermuda’s coastline will change over the next two decades as glaciers continue to melt, causing global sea levels to rise by between 20 and 25 feet.

The melting sea-ice canopy and glaciers will also affect the ocean circulation by adding large volumes of fresh water, forming a “canopy” of fresh water which does not mix easily with salt water.

This, he warned, will impact the Gulf Stream and ultimately impact weather on a world-wide basis.

“We’re talking about this now so that we don’t wait for that to happen, but come up with ways to defeat the effects of green-house gas and slow down this process of melting and warming of the planet,” he said.

Mr. Blasco said scientists were still arguing about how the change in ocean circulation will impact the planet. But what is known is that it will affect the warm Gulf Stream going north: “So the circulation system will weaken and northern Europe will cool because they won’t get all the heat (currently provided by the Gulf Stream).”Using the 2004 movie environmental disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow to illustrate what will happen, Mr. Blasco said the theory is warm water will no longer move north — allowing cold temperatures to assert themselves on the northern parts of the planet.

“The scenario was sped up in the movie, of course, when in actual fact it would take quite some time,” he said. “But the movie was based on scientific theory and simply elevated the current thinking to the level of science fiction. But it gives you the idea . . . it’s not good.” .

So what can Bermudians do to help slow down the process of global warming?

Mr. Blasco said they could support any type of initiative through environmental groups and politics.

But, he warned, it also meant reducing green-house gases/emissions by reducing the use of motorised transport, including cars.

“The biggest thing people can do is drive much more efficient vehicles in terms of emission control, meaning less horsepower, to make a difference because we need to reduce green-house gases,” he said.

The biggest problem when it comes to arresting current trends, he said, lies with the G-8 industrialised countries: “They are not being very proactive about the environment and are trying to convince all the other countries in the world that they need to do something sooner than later.”

But re is hope. Mr. Blasco (pictured) pointed out that there are various tools which can be used to remove CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the atmosphere but, unfortunately, they are hugely expensive.

“I read about these instruments they came up all over the world that remove CO2 from the air, but these cost money and who will pay for them? However, I would assume that we will get to the point where everyone will want one in their backyard,” he said with a chuckle.

“We have two ways to go about it . . . reduce green-house gases and develop techniques that will remove them from the air.”

Since he first visited the Arctic in 1972, Mr. Blasco has noticed significant changes in that environment, mostly in terms of the temperatures which have steadily risen in the last few years.

“Normally when I go up in February it’s 45 to 60 below, but on my most recent trip it was only 30 below and it wasn’t too bad at all. It’s getting warmer and in the summer we seem to be getting more rain. Normally it’s a very arid climate, but now we’re getting more precipitation.”

He added that there was scientific proof that there has been a 40 per cent reduction in the Arctic sea-ice canopy in the last 50 years.

“So who cares? I do because it affects the Arctic but I realise it also affects Bermuda,” he said.

Mr. Blasco pointed out that the sea level in Bermuda is already rising thanks to climate change.

“Sea level has been rising at a rate of 20 centimetres a century,” he stated.

As the water warms, it expands: “So you take the surface of the ocean, warm it and it expands and goes up.

“We’re talking about the end effects of what happens when you take the canopy of ice and you melt it and you melt the glaciers. They become compounding effects.”

He contradicted the idea that the melting of five million square miles of ice caps covering the earth would necessarily cause water levels to rise.

“When you put an ice cube in a glass of water it displaces the water and when it melts, it doesn’t overflow your glass.

“Because the ice is already there, it’s already displaced. Melting the ice doesn’t displace the sea level because it doesn’t add anything — but it’s the fact the glaciers are melting now that is adding new water and causing sea levels to rise.”

Mr. Blasco said it was important to find the ways and means to reduce green-house gases on a national, international, local and personal scale. And Bermudians could do their part by becoming more aware of the issues and making the necessary sacrifices to ensure the future of Bermuda for generations to come.

Expert warns of cooler summers and colder winters