...People against the Earth: Cycle of melting of ice caps in the environment It is very shocking to see how many people do not have the knowledge or the interest to educate themselves about one of the biggest issues of the Earth. There are many articles about the climate change in general, but this essay will answer a question what are the effects of melting ice caps on climate change? Firstly what is global warming and what is climate change? Global warming is just the Earth’s rising surface temperature and climate change is a bigger category and global warming is one part of its category. In another words global warming is one issue of a much larger problem of human caused climate change. Both of them are a commonly talked about issue among scientists since it causes many changes in the environment including the melting of ices which has an effect on all parts of the world. Because of the sea level rising there are, even if it is not a rapid increase, many devastating effects on land habitants, and also there is a threat of the next ice age. Firstly the melting of polar ice caps can affect countries, as continents. A lot of parts of the “now known” continents would totally disappear under the ocean; which would mean that people that live there now, would lose their homes and the number of people per square foot would rise rapidly. The sunk parts of the countries would affects also the fauna and flora. It is clear that many species are dying out now and also...
Words: 4018 - Pages: 17
...Yosiah Prof. E Science and Human Values Within the past century and a half concentrated greenhouse gas has had an enormous effect on the polar ice caps. The melting of these ice caps cause fresh water to be added to the north Atlantic current in large amounts triggering an ice age. When this effect takes place over time it can disrupt our warm climate and cause more frequent and more dangerous natural disasters, mostly our warm climate. Hurricane Katrina is only a glimpse of what will happen on a larger scale if nothing is done to reciprocate it. Unfortunately oil profiting is the culprit, burning large amount of fossil fuels, and pollution degenerates our fragile climate globally also. We have become so dependent on it; alternatives must be made available and educated on a world wide scale. America and China could be the automobile that puts everything in motion. Once they start it as forerunners the world will follow suit. The day After tomorrow shows evidence such as polar caps and great visual affects of ice caps the size of small states breaking off and melting into the north Atlantic current. Meetings were held at the U.N. to create awareness and begin preventative measures necessary for future generations. The results were meet with denial and financial strains it could cause. Commencing the meeting signs shortly started to become evident. At the headland the center in Scotland, were observatory research is conducted, they noticed a boy has a temperature drop...
Words: 419 - Pages: 2
...movie, The Day After Tomorrow, is actually about the issue of global warming which caused the temperature to increase the earth’s atmosphere where polar ice caps are melting and thus, increasing the water levels of oceans. Then flooding occurs, and other climatic disturbances occur all over the world as well. This sets the stage for a new Ice Age. At first, I thought it’s a movie about weather, dramatic and a disaster movie. It provides suspense and a prediction of a climate shift which is going to happen again after 10,000 years. The way the movie portrayed global warming and other disastrous events were extreme and not very believable. Some of the information is backed up by science but most is completely off the wall and nonrealistic. The movie cited the cause of the global climate change to be the rise in temperature due to greenhouse gasses. According to the movie, the warmer temperatures caused the polar ice caps to melt, and the increased amount of water in the ocean disrupted the North Atlantic Current. The North Atlantic Current is what is responsible for the warm temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere. With the current disrupted the Northern Hemisphere went into an ice age. In real life, the polar ice caps are melting, but at a rate not even close to that of the one represented in the movie. There is no way that the ice would melt so quickly that a change that drastic would be made. Another major issue I had with the movie was its temperature inconsistencies. In the...
Words: 691 - Pages: 3
...real. The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is very likely human-induced and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented in the past 1,300 years. In recent years there have been more and more devastating storms, many of magnitudes not seen in many areas. The climate is changing and we need to do what we can now to either slow that change down or stop it altogether. Glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. The Himalayas are sometimes called the world's "third pole" because they are covered with thousands of glaciers. Water from those glaciers helps feed some of the world's most important rivers, including the Ganges and the Indus. As those glaciers melt, they will contribute to rising sea levels. Nepal alone has more than 2,300 glacial lakes, and experts say at least 20 are in danger of bursting. Glaciers are not the only thing in danger of melting, if the ice cap of Greenland continues to melt at the rate it has it recent years, it will soon be gone it is predicted that the ocean level will rise 20 feet. If the polar ice caps continue to melt, the sea levels will rise 210 feet. Global sea level rose about 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) in the last century. The rate in the last decade, however, is nearly double that of the last century. The image on the left shows...
Words: 1084 - Pages: 5
...atmosphere. What researchers have found is that in a cyclical pattern (patterns of steadily increasing up and down movements), the atmospheric levels are on a constant increase. These patterns are cyclical in nature because in the spring, when the northern hemisphere is facing the sun (the northern hemisphere being where the largest amount of vegetation is located), the plant life absorbs the majority of the CO2 levels, reducing the levels of CO2 in the air. In the fall, when the northern hemisphere is facing away from the sun, the CO2 is released into the air, increasing the CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Evidence of an increasing atmospheric temperature is everywhere; Mount Kilimanjaro has virtually no snow covering its peaks and the polar ice caps are reducing in size at, as researchers would put it, at “extraordinary rates”. As Gore showed in his presentation, over the past 1000 years, the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are directly correlated with the atmospheric temperatures. In Antarctica, the same has been shown in research going back as far as...
Words: 1816 - Pages: 8
...cares about disappearance of glaciers or the polar bears dying. I am certain that global warming is beneficial for mankind in many aspects. It is also the key to progress. First of all, the government should prohibit emission standards and allow companies to pollute as they please; bringing us closer to our goal which is to produce as much carbon dioxide as possible. Also companies who have the biggest carbon foot print would be rewarded with huge multi-billion bonuses. Second, the government should abolish hybrid cars and public transportation. Then they should implement a measure that makes it mandatory for every citizen to own and drive an SUV. This law would help with more pollution which will result in a faster process of melting the polar caps. Third, citizens found recycling would be fined. Recycling would become an obsolete term. Nobody wants to reuse plastic bottles it is so unsanitary. Let’s be grateful and praise global warming since it would contribute to our economic success and happiness. The arctic regions of North...
Words: 821 - Pages: 4
...My Take on Environmentalism There are many types of environmental problems that the world is experiencing nowadays, be it the pollution found in the cities, deforestation of natural rainforests, and the melting of the polar ice caps. One of the worst environmental problems, if not the worst, that the Earth is currently facing is global warming. Global warming is the gradual increase of the Earth’s surface temperature, mainly due to the effects of certain greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from either deforestation or monoxides found in pollution. These gases would trap the heat that would supposedly escape from the surface of the Earth, which would effectively increase the Earth’s surface temperature. From the name itself, we can already know the main effect of global warming to the Earth. There is this gradual change in temperature, more specifically, a rise in temperature of the Earth’s climate system. From this rise in temperature, more side effects would be branching out. Some of these include the depletion of different bodies of water, forest fires, unpredictable weather, and the melting of the polar caps. It would be fair to say that humans must reap what they sow, that because we have been burning fossil fuels and cutting down trees, we deserve to suffer the consequences given by global warming. Although, it is not just humans who are experiencing these side effects, plants and animals alike also pay for the cost of our negligence to our environment...
Words: 1177 - Pages: 5
...temperatures. Also, warmer temperatures in our farming area have spurred plant diseases, and the quality of agricultural seeds has degenerated cutting into local women’s ability to earn a living. Because our yields are down, it is difficult to feed our children.” (Jaime Baily 14). Climate change has become a very contested and debated matter. Some scientists say that the earth is warming; skeptics contend that it is cooling. Glaciologists say that the polar ice on earth is melting, and skeptics say that Antarctic ice is growing. Skeptics-that have also concluded that the earth is warming-point out that the earth has gone through many such warming periods (interglacials or periods of desertification) in between cooling periods and that these are natural cycles. But the long-running debate over whether or not global warming is anthropogenic is arriving to its end. Not only it is caused by man, it’s real, it’s here. All across the world, in every place known to man, glaciers and ice-sheets are melting, the average temperature is increasing and dangerous weather events are occurring as an integrated response to green house gases produced by man’s activity such as motor vehicles, factories, fossil fuel plants, etc . We are already suffering the consequences of the global warming...
Words: 3299 - Pages: 14
...Current Event Review – Climate Change in the North Summary of Event and Background Canadian North is the forefront of the climate change and its effect can be seen very evidently on the daily basis. Warmer temperatures have led to changes in shifting tree line, major impact on several species especially caribou population; other wildlife species foreign to this area moving further north from the south like cougar and whitetail deer. North is also facing problems with territory’s winter road network for example due to the reduced thickness of ice roads, Diavik Diamond Mine in Northern Canada were forced to fly in fuel rather than try to transporting it – costed extra $11.25 million. Melting of permafrost is another concern as it’s affecting the buildings and housing, leading to changes in building techniques. It also causes methane to release which is another greenhouse gas that adds to the mix of warming agents heating our planet. Climate change is also effecting water world as certain fish species are disappearing. Even though, it is very small contributor to CO2 emission, the territory is dependent on international and national actions to and is at mercy from outside to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to briefing document prepared for Prime Minister Trudeau, it states that average temperature has increased 1.6 degree Celsius which is almost twice as much since 1948. If we look at Canadian North, the temperature has risen by about 3 times the global average –...
Words: 1098 - Pages: 5
...gather energy when the sun is out to shine but when it isn’t the power goes. The same is true for wind and water. Also because they are expensive the poorer countries cannot afford them. The government is trying to get everyone to use renewable energy and if this happens the poorer countries would have to make do without any electricity and would be even more economically challenged then they are now. As the media keeps talking about global warming and its effect on the weather which is partially true because they still say that it’s the co2 in the atmosphere that is causing it. This is wrong because studies of the ice cores of Greenland that tell us that there was a period in time when there was more co2 in the atmosphere and the climate was much more colder than the one we have to today. The media also says that the warmer weather will melt the polar ice caps and change the Atlantic...
Words: 591 - Pages: 3
...today’s world, including transportation. Advertisements have led people to believe that hybrid cars pollute less, will save money and reduce dependence on natural fuel sources. The encompassing question answered in this paper is; do hybrids live up to expectations that society has suggested of them? The push to develop green technologies stems from the fact that the earth’s ozone layer is quickly changing due to the recent rapid growth in modern industry. This change is largely due to human activity; industry, transportation, waste, and everyday living. Everyday large amounts of pollutants are released into the atmosphere leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming. This global warming can cause major issues such as the melting of polar ice caps and a rise in sea level, which in turn would cause intense flooding in most if not all coastline areas, giving cause to other disasters such as mass erosions,mud slides, outbreaks of disease to more humid climates coastal reformation, and other disasters. Given enough time, a steady increase of these gasses would also change the length and intensity of the seasons, create droughts, and increase the frequency and impact of large storms causeing troubles for farmers and possibly wreaking havok on the global economy. Conjoined efforts are being made by countries to understand this growing dilemma, and scientists are trying to theorize ways to slow its effects. One of these theorys is to lower our carbon emmissions that cars put...
Words: 258 - Pages: 2
...coming up from all parts of the world supporting the occurrence of global warming. Many people are conveniently ignoring the warning signs produced by the earth; the important evidence of global warming is the temperatures itself. The average temperature across the world is higher than the previous years. Many areas are experiencing the highest temperatures ever recorded. There is evidence that due to this rise in temperature even the polar ice caps or ice glaciers have started to melt. According to reports, many countries around the world have been experiencing a very warm temperature even when to those countries that experience winter. Evidences show that the combined land and ocean temperature has increased than the average. According to the opinion of some experts, the temperature of the earth is rising at a rate of a fifth of a degree every decade. Scientists and experts reports that human activities are causing global warming, and if the present rise in temperature continues, the sea-level will increase and the arctic summer sea- ice will disappear by the second half of this century. There are quite substantial evidences showing that the climate change like, prolonged summer seasons, the increased heat waves and regular tropical storms are all resulted by global warming caused by greenhouse gases. Actually the evidences of global warming are visible and are now being felt even to the common man. They are experiencing the heat waves, intense, floods, cyclones, decreased...
Words: 1057 - Pages: 5
...Warming Have you noticed that in the past few years the average temperature has changed? The summers are hotter the usual. The winters aren’t as cold as you remember them. Did you realize when storm season comes; instead of your regular thunderstorm you get super storms? All these effects are caused by global warming. Global warming is defined as “An increase in the earth's atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution” (Global Warming About). To put that in layman’s terms, global warming is an increase in air and water temperature due to pollution. Global warming has many effects on the Earth. Some of the effects are raising temperatures, melting icecaps, changing weather, and the effect it has on animals If you can’t tell by the name, global warming causes a raise in temperature. The decade of 2000-2010 has been the hottest decade since the 1980’s (Climate Hot). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average temperature of the earth has risen over 2.1 degrees (Enloe). Over the 50 years, the number of record low temperature around the world has declined (Climate). Since the 1970’s, the average temperatures between November and February in the USA have increased by 1-2 degrees (Global Warming And). As mentioned earlier, global warming is causing the atmosphere to be warm up more than usual. You may be thinking, “Well, what can an increase...
Words: 1702 - Pages: 7
...of the current needs. Most of the environmental damage being seen in the last fifty odd years is because of the growing number of people on the planet. They are cutting down forests, hunting wildlife in a reckless manner, causing pollution and creating a host of problems. Those engaged in talking about overpopulation have noticed that acts of violence and aggression outside of a war zone have increased tremendously while competing for resources. Degradation of Environment: With the overuse of coal, oil and natural gas, it has started producing some serious effects on our environment. Rise in the number of vehicles and industries have badly affected the quality of air. Rise in amount of CO2 emissions leads to global warming. Melting of polar ice caps, changing climate patterns, rise in sea level are few of the consequences that we might we have to face due to environment pollution. Conflicts and Wars Overpopulation in developing countries puts a major strain on the resources it should be utilizing for development. Conflicts over water are becoming a source of tension between countries, which could result in wars. It causes more diseases to spread and makes them harder to control. Starvation is a huge issue facing the world and the mortality rate for children is being fuelled by it. Poverty is the biggest hallmark we see when talking about overpopulation. All of this will only become worse if solutions are not sought out for the factors affecting our population. We can no...
Words: 388 - Pages: 2
...technology has progressed enormously both for the good – and bad. The spoiling of the nature does not stop there, however, because we continue in their footsteps, not caring whether or not our grandchildren will ever know a green forest or a sparkly river. “It is not my problem,” some people say, and maybe that is true. But that will change if we do not do something. Many organisations – like Green Peace – work towards living on a better planet and treating the world with care. One might walk outside today and think: ”This looks nice, I do not see a problem with nature as it is”, but that is only true to an extent. Many of the major changes, which happen in nature, are not visible in the western world. For instance, the polar ice caps are melting, which some day may cause the sea levels to rise and flood coastal cities. That is not something we can see when we look out the window, and that makes it hard to relate to. Many rainforests are cut down to grow fields, use the wood for paper and such and to build cities and factories (resulting in extinction of many animal and plant species) but it is not something we see with our own eyes, so it might as well not happen in the first place. Furthermore, flushing soap, chemicals, etc. down the drain, damages the ecosystem because clean water is spoiled – water in which millions of animals live. When we throw garbage in nature, we walk away, so we do not always realise that it takes hundreds of years, maybe even thousands, for...
Words: 891 - Pages: 4
