This summer the Arctic ice sheet has not shrunk as far as in previous years (good news), but the long term trend is still downwards (bad news). But, what does long term mean? I've quickly scanned through the report from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center and, as far as I can tell, long term means going back to 1979! Thirty years may be quite a while in human terms, but on a global geological scale it's nothing! I do wish scientists would put things in their proper perspective!
Your Friday questions are: -
- What post was held by Swedish diplomat Dag Hammerskjöld who died in a plane crash today in 1961?
- Who wrote the famous 1791 biography of Dr Samuel Johnson (right) who was born today in 1709?
- Today in 1830, the first steam locomotive built in the USA raced a horse over a nine-mile stretch. Which won?
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