Polar amplification
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Polar amplification is defined by International Arctic Science Committee on page 23 of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment "Polar amplification (greater temperature increases in the Arctic compared to the earth as a whole) is a result of the collective effect of these feedbacks and other processes."[1] It does not apply to the Antarctic, because the Southern Ocean acts as a heat sink.[2] It is common to see it stated that "Climate models generally predict amplified warming in polar regions", e.g. Doran et al. [3]. However, climate models predict amplified warming for the Arctic but only modest warming for Antarctica. [2]
 Arctic Temperature Trend 1987-2007 |
 Antarctic Temperature Trend 1981-2007}} |
