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Climate change and its affect on the arctic essay
Climate change and its affect on the arctic essay
Global warming affecting the arctic
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The rate of ice melting at the Arctic region has been on the rise, which could result in catastrophic events not only for the life that the Arctic supports in its environment but also the entire globe. This implies that this region should be protected because of the repercussions it could have on the overall globe. If the seas become warmer, they may endanger aquatic life, and possibly lead to extinction of certain species. Since melting ice increases the volume of water in the oceans, the ocean level rises leading to a higher possibility of mass deaths mostly caused by Tsunamis if earthquakes strike the coastal regions. This is because this region is responsible for regulating earth’s climate system. The ice that covers the Arctic region functions as a reflector where it reflects much of the sun’s heat back into space. This helps in cooling the planet and making it habitable and provides a sense of balance by driving atmospheric circulation. If the balance is affected by in increase in temperatures at the Arctic region, then there could be devastating results that include cyclones and typhoons, which are responsible for mass deaths. While the increasing temperature around the Arctic is threatening the existence of marine mammals and the condition of the ecosystem, melting of the ice around that region may affect the temperature of the globe.
Global warming is one of the emerging issues currently experienced in the world. The melting of the snow in the Arctic is among the effects of global warming and thus is used to prove the intensity of the earth’s warming process. The Yenisey and Lena rivers of Siberia demonstrate one of the deep effects of global warming, which is scientifically termed as heat expanding. This is because they ...
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...UN, Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. Because of that, these countries caused change the climate by burning fuels will allow more Arctic hydrocarbons to be extracted and burned. Finally, the value of keeps the Arctic safe is that Canada has gold, Alaska has zinc, Sweden has iron, and Russia has nickel.
The Arctic is the must important region, so the Arctic is has many sources. If these countries do not control the Arctic, they will be dangers. My suggesting is keeping the Arctic safe, and uses the resources in the right way.
This then leads to the conclusion that the Arctic should be protected from melting because the repercussions could be far reaching in that the entire globe would be affected. This region can be protected through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere.
Works Cited
Astill, J. (2012). The melting north. The economist , 1-4.
Global Warming, much of what does or does not happen forty years from now rests on our actions or inactions taken between now and then. The crucial question is whether we should pour all our resources into mitigation – reducing our carbon emissions. According to scientists who study the climate there are other environmental problems; “we now face a global crises in land use and agriculture that could undermine the health, security, and sustainability of our civilization”.
The Government of Canada , "Canada's Arctic Foreign Policy." Last modified June 03, 2013. Accessed November 27, 2013. http://www.international.gc.ca/arctic-
In the essay, “Global Warming is Eroding Glacial Ice,” Andrew C. Revkin argues that global warming is the primary cause for many of the world’s natural disasters; including flash floods, climate change, and the melting of the polar ice caps. He includes multiple accounts of expert testimony as well as a multitude amount of facts and statistics to support his theory that global warming is a threat to the world. However, in the essay “Cold Comfort for ‘Global Warming’,” Phillip Stott makes the complete opposite argument. He argues that global warming is nothing to be worried about and the melting of the polar icecaps is caused by the interglacial period we are currently in. After reading both of these essays and doing extensive research on both viewpoints, I completely agree with Revkin that global warming is an enormous threat to our world today. My research not only helped me to take a stand but it also showed me the invalidity in Stott’s essay.
The Arctic region is home to a variety of valuable animals and plants, including polar bear, seal, and so on. The ecosystem of the Arctic region is fragile because these animals are evolved to live in extreme conditions. With the climate change, many animals are endangered. Ice is the habitat of polar animals because they have to rely on sea ices for resting, food, and reproduction. With the climate change and the decrease of sea ice, the number of polar animals is decreasing and their health is threatened. For example, the average weight of female polar bears in 1980 was about 650 pounds, but the number reduced to about 500 pounds in 2004 (Djoghlaf 15). The earlier breakup and later condensation of sea ice shortens the hunting season of polar bears. Polar bears mainly feed on seals that indwell icy land. The melting ice reduces the number of seals and food intake of polar bears. In addition, polar bears are used to living in ice caves. The rising temperature causes the collapse of ice caves, which can kill baby bears. The climate change is negatively affecting the biodiversity in the region and will definitely harm the ecosystem
The Arctic has a key role in Canada’s history and future, as 40% of Canada’s landmass composes of its three northern territories. Arctic Sovereignty has become a national priority for Canada in the 21st Century due to international interests, such as rapid industrialization, climate change and transportation. Therefore, the geopolitical importance of the Arctic has never been any greater than it is now.
People are responsible for higher carbon dioxide atmosphere emissions, while the Earth is now into the Little Ice Age, or just behind it. These factors together cause many years discussions of the main sources of climate changes and the temperature increasing as a result of human been or natural changes and its consequences; even if its lead to the global warming, or to the Earth’s cooling. In their articles, “Global Warming Is Eroding Glacial Ice” by Andrew C. Revkin and “Global Warming Is Not a Threat to Polar Ice” by Philip Stott, both authors discuss these two theories (Revkin 340; Stott 344). Revkin is right that global warming is taking place. Significant increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is due to human activities combined with natural factors such as volcanic emissions and solar radiation – all together they lead to climate changes and temperatures rising. At the same time, other factors such as deforestation contribute to environmental changes for some glaciers not less than air pollution. However, during global warming not all regions of the planet are affected in the same way, local warming and cooling are both possible during these changes.
Earth has experienced many episodes of dramatic climate changes with different periods in earth history. There have been periods during which the entire planet has been covered in ice and at another time it has been scorchingly hot and dry. In this regards, earth has experienced at least three major periods of long- term frigid climate and ice ages interspersed with periods of warm climate. The last glacial period which current glaciers are the result of it, occurring during the last years of Pleistocene, from approximately 110,000 to 10,000 years age (Clayton, 1997). Indeed, glaciers present sensitive indicators of climate change and global warming and by estimating and monitoring the dynamic evolution of these ice masses, several aspect of climate change impact on environmental phenomena can be revealed.
The topic of climate change and global warming has always been one of great debate and controversy; however, it’s clear to see that Canadians should take precautions to avoid the problems their country faces. The Canadian government should do everyth...
The ice sheet extends from about 60° to 83°N over a distance of 2,400 km in the North Atlantic Ocean. The ice sheet covers 1.71 million km2 , or roughly 80% of the surface of Greenland. It consists of a northern dome and a southern dome, with maximum elevations of 3,230 m and 2,850 m, respectively, linked by a long saddle with elevations around 2,500 m. Its total volume is about 2.85 million km3, which, if it were to melt entirely, would raise global sea level by about 7.2 m. The ice sheet has an average thickness of 1,670 m and reaches a maximum of 3,300 m in the center. The bedrock surface below the ice sheet is an extensive flat area near sea level, which would rebound by as much as 1,000 m if the ice sheet were to be removed (Figure 1). Precipitation over Greenland generally decreases from south to north, ranging from about 2,500 mm per year in the southeast to less than 150 mm per year in interior northeastern Greenland. The southern high precipitation zone is largely determined by the Icelandic low and the resulting onshore flow which is forced to ascend the surface of the ice sheet. In contrast to Antarctica, summer temperatures on Greenland are high enough to cause widespread summer melting. This results in an ablation zone with negative mass balance all around its perimeter. Ablation rates are highest over the southwestern part of the ice sheet where...
Amos, Jonathan. “Deep Ice tells Long Climate Story.” BBC News. BBC News. 9/4/2006. Web. 4 Apr. 2014.
Stephen M. Smith, et al. "A Review Of Recent Developments In Climate Change Science. Part II: The Global-Scale Impacts Of Climate Change." Progress In Physical Geography 35.4 (2011): 443-464.Academic Search Elite. Web. 21 Nov. 2011
Various glaciers in Alaska and other parts of the United States have shrunk dramatically. If temperatures continue to rise, the ice will continue to melt, and some glaciers could disappear completely, which causes sea levels to rise. There are many animals, birds, and seafood that depend solely on glaciers for survival. With an increase in sea water temperature, and increasing sea levels, sea-plants that these fish thrive on will be lost, lowering the number of seafood, which in-turn will make survival of many species difficult. The arctic is source region for cold ocean currents and with no ice it will have no density and temperature distinctions, which pushes the ocean currents. If the ocean current heat transfer mechanism powers down,
The negative side of global warming is that it leads to melting of ice. The world's glaciers, especially Arctic glaciers are melting faster than new snow and ice can supplement them. During the melting of Arctic ice opens over the dark surface of the water or soil and balance change reflects less and absorb a greater amount of heat, therefore, large areas of ice melt rapidly (News, global warming). There is evidence, which will support this argument: scientists from the University of California in San Diego investigated satellite observation data for the Arctic for 1979-2011 years. Since the 1970s, the area covering of the ice has decreased by 40 % and the region has warmed up to 2 degrees (News global warming).It means, that global warming affects to the wildli...
The polar regions are most affected and vulnerable to the warming temperatures because the poles are covered in ice. The world’s ice sheets are melting faster than ever and temperatures in the Arctic region are rising twice as fast as anywhere else on Earth according to the NRDC. This will have a serious impact on people, wildlife and plants in that region. The National Climate Assessment has said that “By the year 2100, it 's estimated our oceans will be one to four feet higher, threatening coastal systems and low-lying areas, including entire island nations and the world 's largest cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Miami as well as Mumbai, Sydney, and Rio de Janeiro”. Polar bears are in great threat as the ice sheets melt because they use the ice to travel across the land and hunt. As the sea-ice platforms move further apart, the swimming conditions become more dangerous. The U.S Geological Survey done by the National Wildlife Federation predicts that by the year 2050, two thirds of all polar bears will disappear. Researcher Bill Fraser has tracked the Adelie penguins in Antarctica and reported the numbers have fallen from 32,000 to only 11,000 over the last 30
Global warming is a serious problem with two major effects: increasing sea level and degradation of wildlife. Increase in sea level affects the entire landmass of the earth. According to NASA, the polar ice cap is melting at the alarming rate of nine percent per decade. Arctic ice thickness has decreased 40 percent since the 1960s (Oskin). The amount of water is more than the land on our planet.