11/27/10
9:30 AM
The Warming of Antarctica: A Citadel of Ice Begins to Melt
In 1978 John H. Mercer had already speculated about the warming of Antarctica and the melting of ice caps long before most other scientists were concerned with the affects of global warming. His predictions about Antarctica came true far sooner than expected at least by a few decades. The Arctic Peninsula has warmed faster than any other location on earth and at least 8 arctic shelves have also melted. This increase in temperature is wreaking havoc on local food chain. There are declines in population in all levels of the ecosystem from plankton to the penguins. Also local wildlife is out of sync with the melting of the ice. Our planet will have even harder time coping with these changes if things continue.
Just like most things, there is a reaction for every action. The amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere is causing a change in the Arctic Circle. With the increase in melting we can expect the sea level to rise. Sure, it doesn’t sound that much of a change, but with a rise our lives will be affected. With just a few inches of increase cities can be underwater, there can be a change in climate, there will be an increase of storms and flooding and changes in our water supply because more of the earth’s water will be salt water. None of these things are good but all of these things will affect everyone on the planet. We will have to use our innovation to rethink our daily lives as we know it. Of course this rise in temperature is not completely reversible; but we can do things to slow warming up of the Arctic Circle. Consuming less and being more conscious are always good places to start.
http://e360.yale.edu/feature/the_warming_of_antarctica_a_citadel_of_ice_begins_to_melt_/2342/
2 comments:
Just as we have talked about Global Warming in our SOC class it worries me on how long drastic effects will take place. I watched a documentary the other day about the Walruses which I know live in the Artic and not Antarctica but are struggling to stay on the snow sheets in the ocean because they are melting too fast. It seems to only be a matter of time before it affects us.
I completely agree. The effects of global warming terrify me -Especially after our many discussions in class. It also scares me that mankind has yet to truly make a change in the way we live or recognize the problem. We are far to reactive instead of proactive.
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