Climate Change in the Polar Regions

Robert Jacobel
Department of Physics
St. Olaf College

The United Nations IPCC Fourth Assessment Report on climate change predicts that global average temperatures will increase between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius by the end of this century, primarily due to increases in anthropogenic greenhouse gasses.  Because of non-linear feedback processes, those changes will be amplified in the earth’s polar regions, already experiencing the largest transformations in climate on the planet.  For a number of years, the geophysics research group at St. Olaf College has been involved in studies of ice and climate change in Greenland, Antarctica and other polar and alpine environments.  This presentation will focus on climate change research  including some of our group’s results using remote sensing techniques to answer questions about how the earth’s icy regions are responding.  Students interested in research positions for next summer and beyond are especially encouraged to attend.