The article I read was about a new study conducted by Eric Steig that proves the center of Antarctica is in fact being affected by global warming, contrary to prior assessments. The findings of this study could redefine the significance of global warming, as the melting of Antarctica’s ice shelves could dramatically change the world’s coastlines.
Until recently, it was near impossible to determine if Antarctica was experiencing climate change. This is because the continent is so inaccessible that weather stations were not placed there until 1957. Those that were established were few and far between. The first studies conducted using the information gathered from these weather stations concluded that no climate change was occurring in Antarctica. The reason for this has been a mystery to scientists.
Eric Steig’s study helped put this mystery to rest by using temperature and satellite records to prove that Antarctica’s temperatures “have risen by about one degree near the equator to more than five degrees near the North Pole.”
Now we are faced with the reality that global warming may be an even bigger threat than we initially imagined. The threat will not come from the Antarctic climate warming, but from the surrounding water warming and melting the ice shelves, which would release the huge amounts of ice they support into the ocean.
What was more frightening than the article itself were the comments left by the people who read it. The majority of them expressed a disbelief in global warming, claiming it to be a government scare tactic or propaganda. Others insisted the study was a waste of government money, fabricated from incorrect records. I understand these are just opinions, but it is scary to know that so many people are still denying the existence of global warming and the fact that it is occurring unnaturally fast as a result of the human impact on the environment.
Even if the study is not entirely accurate, global warming is an issue that cannot be ignored. We need to not only stop the damage we are doing to cause climate change, but work on reversing the damage we have done as well.
I agree Global Warming is a big issue and it is alarming and sad that people still don't believe that its true.
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