Arctic ice is disappearing at a much faster rate than expected. In 20-30 years, experts estimate that arctic ice will disappear during the summer months. The global effect of disappearing arctic ice is chilling and is something that everyone should be concerned about.
According to AFP, a polar research team led by Pen Hadow presented the findings that indicate just how big the disappearing arctic ice problem is. Hadow and his group studied the Arctic ice cap for 73 days during the northern spring, taking 6,000 measurements or more and several observations.
If the Arctic ice disappears, a quarter of the world could be affected by flooding. Greenhouse gas emissions will increase and we will all live in a much warmer world.
Disappearing Arctic ice could lead to the extinction of several animals indigenous to the Arctic region. Emperor penguins are a very popular species of animal that could face extinction.
BionomicFuel.com outlines just how bad the disappearing artic ice problem is. Melting sea ice will raise global sea levels, lowering the temperature of water. Sea life and our ecosystem could be severely affected.
That’s not the worst part – flooding from melting sea ice could take hundreds of thousands of acres of homes and farmlands. If farmlands are affected, a global food supply shortage could ensue.
I never thought I would see the day when the melting Artic ice caps would affect the world. In 20-30 years, we all could see the traumatic effects of disappearing artic ice. Although it’s probably not possible to turn the tide completely around and prevent melting ice caps, there are some things we can do to avoid further damage to our ecosystem.
First, we need to conserve energy and burn cleaner fuels. Every little bit helps. Although changing one light bulb to energy efficient light bulbs won’t stop disappearing Arctic ice on its own, it doesn’t hurt.
Second, we need to waste less. Over the past couple of decades, we have become accumulators. We accumulate junk and when we are done with it or see no more need for it, we just throw it away. Finding uses for items we no longer need or finding a new home for unwanted items will go a long way in reducing global waste.
Every little bit helps. Disappearing Artic ice is a problem that we will face for the next couple of decades. Hopefully, scientists will find something to do that will reverse the tide. Until then, we will have to waste less, live a greener lifestyle, and wait and see what happens.
Sources:
AFP : “Arctic ice cap ‘to disappear in future summers'” http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091015/sc_afp/britaincanadaarcticclimateenvironmentscience
TakePart.com “Penguins Threatened by Melting Sea Ice: ITOTD” http://www.takepart.com/blog/tag/stop-the-ice-caps-from-melting/
BionicFuel.com “What Does Melting Arctic Ice Caps Bring to Mankind” http://www.bionomicfuel.com/what-does-melting-arctic-ice-cap-bring-to-mankind/#
