Tag Archives: global warming

Rising Temperatures in the Arctic

We’ve all probably heard of global warming at one time or another, maybe on the news or in a magazine. But did we really think about its meaning? Did we contemplate its effect on the world? To start, we should know the definition of global warming. It sounds confusing, but it’s really not when explained correctly in simple terms.  In the Merriam Webster Dictionary, global warming is defined as, “the recent increase in the world’s temperature that is believed to be caused by the increase of certain gases (such as carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere.” What does this mean? Many greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are being released into the air. This is the effect of burning fossil fuels. This traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, instead of releasing it. So, why does this matter? Global warming is raising the Earth’s temperature, especially in the Arctic. This may not seem like a big deal…until we find out the negative effects.

Sun over the Chuchki Sea.

Up in the Arctic, polar bears are losing their habitat to the rising temperatures. Polar bears spend their days primarily in the sea and on ice. They need a platform of ice to hunt for their prey, seals. However, the ice is melting away. It’s getting more difficult for polar bears to get food for survival. During the summer, seasonal ice melts. When this happens, polar bears have the option of swimming to other patches of ice to hunt or simply starving until the fall, when the ice refreezes. Every year, the time period in which it takes for the ice to freeze again is growing. Polar bears cannot go without food forever. The other choice, swimming to other patches of ice for the summer, is becoming just as difficult. Less of the ice refreezes each year. The edges of the patches are steadily receding. Polar bears have to swim farther and farther to find frozen icecaps. Imagine swimming 400 miles without rest. Some do not make the long tiring journey. As a result, the polar bear population is rapidly decreasing.

Polar bears on an ice floe in Spitsbergen

As an animal lover, this is an important matter to me. Many different species are dying out due to various reasons. The population of many Arctic animals is lowering significantly due to the rising temperatures. Habitats are melting away, food supplies are diminishing. To fully understand the situation, think about it this way. Imagine that every day, a very small portion of your house is taken away. Not only that, a little bit of your food disappears each week also. At first, your living conditions would be cramped and uncomfortable. Eventually, your whole house and all of your food would be gone, leaving you homeless and starving. This is what is happening to polar bears in the Arctic. What can be done to help?

We must remember that the negative outreaches of global warming are not just limited to polar bears. This growing problem is spreading.  Organizations fighting to keep the issue under control include Sierra Club and 350.org. Many people are dedicated and passionate about helping preserve the earth and its inhabitants and natural resources. If you want to get involved, don’t hesitate to check out these websites. Help make a difference!

~Ruth

 

Global Warming – Effects on the Polar Bears

 

Global Warming has been, and still is, a huge problem throughout the world. Global warming is an increase in the Earth’s average temperature regarding the greenhouse effect caused by increased carbon dioxide levels and other pollutants. Global warming has affected many animals, mostly the polar bears, because it makes their natural habitat a lot warmer than its supposed to be. This causes their resources, such as food, water, etc, to decrease because of the temperature. Once the Earth is rid of their supplies, the animal starts to die out because they have nothing left to help keep them alive.

Polar Bears Not So Polar

The main animal that global warming has affected the most is the polar bears. With the sudden increase in temperatures, the polar bear’s ice is melting. Ice is where the polar bears hunt and live in. With the ice melting, this is forcing them to swim to get to longer lasting ice. The only time polar bears are really supposed to swim is when trying to get food- seals. With them swimming longer to get to ice, this can lead to them drowning. See how many effects there are to global warming? It’s dangerous and we need to stop this from happening.

Goodbye Global Warming!

In my opinion, the world needs to stop looking for remedies to make people immune to the cold. That’s just not going to happen. Our world is so focused on getting the answers to problems we already have the answers to, that they don’t see the real problems right in front of them. Our scientists today need to start experimenting with global warming and trying to find a solution to it. I want my children to be able to go to the aquarium and see a polar bear. Not look at the home screen to my computer and say “Mommy, what’s those cute, fuzzy animals?” To which I reply with, “Oh, those? They’re the cute polar bears that our scientists never tried to keep alive.”

~Emily

Meanwhile on the Ice

sn-polarbears.jpg

 

With constant growth of business and industry global warming has become a bigger and bigger problem that can’t be ignored. Signs that our earth is heating up are everywhere but the most noticeable changes are occurring in the world’s polar regions. Polar bears, a common inhabitant of the Arctic are feeling the effects of global warming more than anyone else. According to The Impact Zone, “ Leading Arctic models predict that Arctic summer sea ice may completely disappear within the next 30 years….” This is not good news for polar bears considering they find homes on these large ice floes; without them they are likely to drown. There have already been numerous reports of bears dying from exhaustion from swimming in unusually large bodies of water, unable to navigate to an ice pack or floe. As global warming continues to be an issue polar bears are finding they have less room to thrive and survive.

In my opinion the simple solution is to go green. This may seem an obvious option, so why hasn’t global warming been stopped in its tracks? The problem is stores continue to supply foam cups, paper napkins, etc. They should be replacing their products with environmentally friendly material. It wouldn’t be a hard switch to make and would eliminate tons of waste from our landfills. The construction industry should also be stepping up and doing their part to help too. All new buildings and houses should be made as green as possible, with energy efficient machines, solar panels, and insulated walls. These little changes can make a big difference in the lives of those who depend on the Arctic continent. It is our job as temporary caretakers of this planet to realize now what we’re doing and make the change to a better future.

~Ashley Kecskes

Global Warming

Lately global warming has become more serious as scientists point out the rising dangers from the climate change caused by the buildup of human-related greenhouse gases. Scientists reported that global emissions of carbon dioxide are at an all time high  in 2011 and 2012 as we continue to burn more and more fossil fuels and forests. Emissions have continued to increase so rapidly that the international goal of limiting the overall warming of the planet by 3.6 degrees, established three years ago by the Global carbon project, is on the verge of becoming unattainable.  Scientists realized long ago that our planet’s climate greatly influenced the human race; biologically, culturally, and geographically. But only recently they have realized that we can be a powerful influence on Earth’s climate, as well.
Our earth is making it clear that record heat, drought, storms, and fires are caused from what scientists are calling global warming. Carbon pollution is the main reason for our planet heating up, and when the climate changes as quickly as it is, it increases the chances of weather disasters. Many natural disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy, wouldn’t have been so devastating if it wasn’t for global warming. First of all, the heat is melting the ice in the north and south poles which is making the seas rise increasing the chance of a hurricane in the first place. Then, with more water the storm was able to last longer and reach further inland than if the average sea level wasn’t so high to begin with. Also, there aren’t as many cold winds coming from the North and South Poles, which is greatly influencing natural disasters. If we don’t do something quickly things will continue to get worse, but I think if we do something drastic enough then we will be able to save our planet.

~Pascal Preud’homme