Arctic Sea Ice Has Melted to New Record Levels

The very latest scientific research shows dramatically that Arctic ice is continuing to melt at an alarming rate. Arctic ice is also melting more quickly than previously anticipated by scientists.

This is a serious theat to the habitat of the Arctic Polar bear and to the World climate.

The latest data comes from the highly respected US National Snow and Ice Data Center, or NSDIC. The Center warns that summer ice may almost completely disappear from the Arctic during the next couple of decades. This is very alarming and far earlier than previous scientific predictions.

This September NASA measurements show that the area of sea ice in the Arctic reached an all-time record low. Met offices around the world from America to Japan have confirmed that this summer temperatures in the Arctic has been unusually warm.

The extent of Arctic sea ice, measured at the end of August 2012, is just 1.58 million square miles.

This is 30,000 square miles less Arctic polar ice than the previous low set in 2007 and it is the lowest the arctic ice cap has measured since NASA records began in 1979

The Arctic region is being greatly affected by the changing climate which accompanies the melting ice. The quickly-melting ice in the Arctic has been attributed to many possible causes. Many cannot agree on the cause-effect relationship of the dramatic rapidity of melting ice, but all can agree that there is a problem, with definite consequences.

Arctic Ice Melting – The Facts

Average temperatures in the Arctic, are rising twice as much they are in the rest of the world

Arctic ice is melting, getting thinner, and rupturing more quickly.

The area of permanent ice cover is shrinking at a rate of 9-percent each decade.

Arctic ice melting, has caused coastal ice in parts of Alaska and Canada to become brittle, break away, and melt.

Increased traffic through the Northwest Passage, which opened up in 2007, may cause increasing pollution, which will add to the current problem.

Arctic ice melting, causes waters to become warmer. Ice is then not able to re-form, leaving a decreasing base of ice at the beginning of each melting season.

The Arctic Warming Cycle

In recent years, the rapidly diminishing amount of Arctic sea ice in autumn, means large transfers of heat to the atmosphere. The open water is therefore warmer than usual. Arctic ice and snow usually form a protective layer over the Arctic. When the ice and snow melt, the earth absorbs more sunlight, and gets warmer. Melting glaciers and land ice, cause sea levels to rise. The sea ice which was there previously, reflected 80-percent of the sun’s light back into the atmosphere. The Arctic Ocean water absorbs 90-percent of the sunlight. As melting increases, the ice exposes more of the ocean’s area, to the direct sunlight, and the temperatures rise. This cycle accelerates the ice melting even further.

Effects Of Arctic Ice Melting

The rapidly-melting Arctic ice may have devastating effects on the ecosystems within the Arctic region. The Ward Ice Shelf, was once a contained, freshwater lake. When it melted, it drained into the Arctic Ocean, forcing polar bears, seals, walruses and whales of the region to migrate in search of new food sources. The natives who lived off of the wildlife, were suddenly without their natural habitat as well.

Arctic warming also creates a threat to the Arctic culture and its survival. Entire villages could be uprooted, due to the fear of the land turning into swamps. The Arctic is also a major force in global weather. If the Arctic temperature is raised, it affects the rest of the world’s weather. The Northern Hemispheric weather patterns are predicted by Arctic weather patterns.

When weather patterns are affected, food production is also affected. Shorter periods of cold weather will affect crops and the types of food certain regions characteristically cultivate. Rising sea levels would threaten low-lying, coastal areas, cause beach erosion, more violent storms and contamination of freshwater supplies. The Arctic sea ice plays a very important role in keeping temperatures around the world stabilized.

Other Consequences of the Record Melting Of Arctic Ice Cap

Northwest Passage opening

The opening of the Northwest Passage, due to Arctic ice melting, has allowed access to the new parts of the Arctic Ocean, and its seabed, which was previously blocked for centuries.

Countries are now trying to claim these new, exposed area, for its oil and gas, which is buried under the ocean floor. This may create world security issues. It is estimated that 25-percent of the world’s remaining fossil fuel is located under the Arctic seabed. It is ironic that this is the same natural fuel, which has caused the seabed to be exposed for exploration.

Permafrost melt

When the Arctic ice melts, and the temperatures grow warmer, the permafrost begins to melt as well. Without the layer of frozen permafrost covering the ground, massive amounts of methane are released, causing a further greenhouse effect. Methane is a highly-potent greenhouse gas, which is twenty times more powerful than carbon dioxide. This will increase the rapidity of global warming, which then in turn causes more permafrost to melt, and so on.

Global Warming

Scientists comment that the lack of Arctic ice, represents clear proof that the planet is indeed warming. Whether or not we know the specific cause matters not. The facts are facts, the consequences are clear. The consequences of Global Warming are already evident in some Arctic regions. Record melting of Arctic ice is important and are likely to affect the entire world.

Regards,
Peter

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Polar Ice Caps Melting

Changing the Map of the World

The Polar ice caps melting may change our world maps, as a result of the flooding that is caused. It really is that serious.

A combination of an increase in rainfall, and sea levels rising may threaten to change the existing land.

The increasing temperatures which cause the polar ice caps to melt, may also cause record rainfall. The water from glaciers and land ice melting in addition to more rainfall could cause sea levels to rise dramatically. Flooding of island nations, and coastal states, could be a very real possibility.

Rising Sea Level

The sea level is affected by floating ice which melts. Melting glaciers, ice caps, mountain ice, and land-based ice sheets are all contributing to rising sea levels.

Viscious circle

Snow and ice forms a cool, protective, and reflective layer over the earth. When this layer melts, the earth absorbs heat, and temperatures rise. When temperatures rise, more moisture is retained in the warmer atmosphere, creating heavy rain. This cycle perpetuates itself, and the additional water cause the sea level to rise further.

Flooding May Change the World Map

If global warming continues areas less than 30 feet above sea level will be vulnerable to flooding.

Those areas most at risk of flooding, due to the rising sea level would be island nations like the Maldives.

Major cities such as Shanghai, and Lagos would also be affected. The Atlantic Gulf Coasts of the United States could be flooded as well. Relocation would be an issue, since approximately ten percent of the world’s population live in these vulnerable areas.

The geographical regions of the globe would change drastically, as the Gulf Coast states and island nations disappear into the sea. The United States map would most probably lose Louisiana, Texas, Florida, New York City, Long Island, Los Angeles and North Carolina to flooding.

The rise of atmospheric temperature is causing the polar ice caps to melt. The polar ice caps melting is accelerating global warming. Because of this cycle, scientists project as much as a three-foot sea level rise, by the year 2100. Only 15 meters more than the projected sea level rise, would threaten Holland, Belgium, Denmark, and parts of China and India.

Cause And Effect Changes

Arctic areas of permanent ice cover is shrinking by nine percent each decade, and temperatures are continuing to rise.

Sea levels are rising due to higher temperatures which are melting ice, and creating accelerated rainfall and flooding.

Distinguishing between natural variability, and global warming as the cause of change, is not black and white. The process is slow to start, and even slower to stop. The point is to help to alleviate the problem before we arrive at the critical stage.

Scientific predictions show that the sea level could rise an average of three to six feet by the end of the century.

Global land changes from flooding could change the world map drastically.

Many coastal states, islands, and countries would be non-existent, resting below sea level. The past ten years have been the warmest on record globally. Scientists expect the amount of heaviest rainfall to increase more than forty percent by the end of the century due to the increased temperature.

Will the Polar Ice caps Disappear?

It is predicted that these factors will result in the loss of the ice-covered Polar seas by the year 2020.

This melting of reflective ice will only accelerate the effects from temperatures rising. Flooding due to the rising sea level will be inevitable, and the coastal landscapes will disappear.

Whether greenhouse gases are to blame or not, it would seem to be better to err on the side of caution. Protecting the cryosphere is important to the Earth’s energy balance. Incorporating lifestyles changes to save the planet seems essential, otherwise, polar ice caps melting may change our maps drastically.

Regards,
Peter

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Polar Ice Caps Melting

Polar bears

It is almost impossible to think of the polar ice caps without thinking of polar bears. Polar bears and penguins are synonomous with the polar ice caps.

# Interesting Polar bear fact

Did you know -  Polar bears actually only live in the northern arctic and not antartica. Not many people know that!

polar bear on ice

Polar bears are the largest meat eating animals on land and also the largest type of bear. The main diet of the polar bear are seals, but polar bear also eat other arctic animals and vegetation.

polar bear on ice sheet

Penguins

emperor penguins

Emperor penguins are the largest penguins on earth and liev in the Antarctic. Emperor penguins main diet is fish. Emperor penguins are perhaps best known for long journeys, up to 75 miles that they trek to reach the Antarctic breading grounds each year.

Whales

Narwhales are only found in artic waters but the polar regions are often the hunting ground of other species of whale, including killer whales.

Narwhale and calf

Walrus

The walrus is easily identified by its two prominemt tusks. Walruses hunt mollusks found on the sea ice of the polar ice caps.

walrus

Arctic Fox

Arctic foxes live off of lemmings that live under the snow and scavenge for left over food from the kills of larger predators such as polar bears.

arctic fox

Snowy owl

Snowy owls hunt small prey such as lemming on the polar ice caps. Snowy owls themselves are often the prey of arctic foxes during the owl’s nesting season.

snowy owl in flight

Polar ice cap habitat

The habitat and existance of all these animals of the polar ice caps are threatened by the effects of global warming and the melting of the polar ice caps.

Do read the artciles on this site to find out what is happening to the animals of the polar ice caps and their environment

Regards,
Peter

Polar Ice Caps Melting

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Causes of global warming

Polar ice caps melting

Scientific data about polar ice caps melting as never been more important than it is today.

The polar ice sheets covering the North and South Poles have long been the subject of intense scientific interest, but in recent years, study of the Earth’s polar ice has taken on a much more urgent tone. The reason is climate change, or what some call global warming.

There can be no doubt that whether it’s through natural or human-generated causes – or both – the average temperature of the planet is heating up. Global warming means polar ice has been melting in recent years at rates unequaled for thousands of years.

Research station in antartica

Because of the world-wide effect that polar ice caps melting will have on the environment, governments around the world are spending billions of dollars to study polar ice so that, at the very least, we will have data that will help us plan and prepare for possible large-scale changes if the ice sheets continue to melt rapidly.

Polar Ice Caps Melting Data from Outer Space

One of the most effective ways to study the remote, forbidding regions of the poles is from outer space.

In 2003, NASA launched ICESat which was placed in a polar orbit, and performed intense scans using a variety of instruments. ICESat functioned for seven years before it stopped functioning, forcing NASA to retire it.

NASA ICESat Data

But the years of ICESat’s data have added greatly to our understanding of polar ice.

ICESat used something called GLAS — the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System, which used laser technology to gather information both in the visibile light range and also radar-generated data.

ICESat made significant advances in the understanding the changes happening in both the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, as well as polar ice thickness. It also provided invaluable data on vegetation canopy heights and the cloud systems above the ice.

Interestingly, ICESat also discovered a previously unknown network of lakes beneath the surface of the Antarctic ice sheet. Another ICESat is scheduled to be launched by NASA in 2016.

European Space Agency Data

The European Space Agency is also currently operating a space-based platform for observing the poles. This is the CryoSat-2 launched in 2010.

It can measure changes in the ice with an amazing resolution of a 1/2 –inch – from outer space! The primary instrument of CryoSat-2 is the SAR/Interferometric Radar Altimeter, which is basically a high-tech form of radar capable of gathering extremely precise measurements of ice thickness.

CryoSat-2 also wields an instrument called DORIS. This stands for Doppler Orbit and Radio Positioning Integration by Satellite. It’s important because this device enables the satellite to tell exactly how far it is from the surface of the earth, which must be known to obtain accurate readings of what it is measuring on the ground.

But studying polar ice from space represents only one tool, or one branch in a wide variety of approaches that must be undertaken to adequately understand the complex geo-dynamics of polar ice. To that end, NASA launched its Operation IceBridge mission in 2011.

NASA Operation IceBridge

This effort involves extensive and frequent flyover of the both polar ice caps using P-3B aircraft, which are loaded with a variety of scientific instruments for scanning the ice. They also probe deep beneath the surface of the ice sheets.

IceBridge flights began in March for the Arctic and in October for the Antarctic. Each series of flights take place almost daily for 10 weeks. What this does is collect enormous amounts of data that give scientists very exact measurements about how much ice is melting, or what thickness levels are in key areas over specified periods of time.

Polar Ice Caps Melting Data Analysis

Gathering the data is only the first aspect of studying polar ice. Once the data is in hand, the real work starts. It’s the job of climate scientists to interpret the data and formulate theories about what it all means. Massive supercomputers are employed to analyze all of the information from a number of angles while bringing is supporting data from a variety of other disciplines.

All of this goes to demonstrate that current theories on climate change and global warming are not mere fantasies cooked up by computer models based on “best guesses” or information gleaned from textbooks.

The study of polar ice is a multi-billion dollar, international effort that is unlocking the secrets of the polar environments like no other time in world history. And it’s not just for fun or “pure science.” This information will have profound and far reaching implications on how all nations of the world prepare for what seems to be dramatic changes in weather and sea levels.

Regards,
Peter

Polar Ice Caps Melting

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The Polar Ice Caps

Global Warming

Polar Ice Caps

Only two planets in our solar system have polar ice caps – Earth and the planet Mars.

Earth has polar ice caps on the North and South Poles and they are composed of frozen water.

Mars has ice caps at both poles as well, but the Martian ice caps are mainly frozen carbon dioxide with some water.

On Earth the polar ice caps are an integral element in what makes the overall environment of the planet what it is.

One might think at first glance that “all that ice” way up in the middle of nowhere or way “down” in the middle of nowhere has little to do with what the weather is like in New York, London, Bejing or Rio de Janeiro.

However, every aspect of Earth’s environment is connected on a global scale. If major changes occur in any particular environmental zone of the planet, every other square mile of the planet will experience at least some kind of reaction. This is especially true of the polar ice caps.

Most of The Earth’s Fresh Water Is Locked In The Polar Ice Caps

Enormous amounts of water are confined in the form of polar ice.

In fact, 70% of the entire planet’s fresh water is freeze-locked in the polar ice caps. As the average temperature of the planet has clearly been warming in recent years, sea levels around the world have risen as a consequence.

Already, a number of island nations around the globe are seeing their landmasses vanish beneath the oceans. The island nations of Kiribati, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and Maldives have already been seriously impacted.

Polar Ice Caps Melting

If polar ice continues to melt, the shorelines of all countries and landmasses will see beaches vanish, as well as billions upon billions of dollars in prime real estate recede beneath the waves.

But the melting of the polar ice caps is even more far reaching than the direct effect on sea levels. That’s because much of the melting water is transpired into the atmosphere, increasing the net amount of moisture in the air around the world. This in turn spawns greater amounts of rain, often massive flooding events, and possibly also more hurricanes and tropical storms.

Polar Ice Receding

Polar ice melting

As polar ice recedes, it exposes billions of tons of organic matter that has heretofore been frozen for tens of thousands of years. Once that biomass – mostly plant materials – is exposed to the air, it decays and releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Polar Ice Caps Melting and Global Warming

So what you have is a kind of one-two punch that drives even more global warming. More carbon and more moisture in the atmosphere increase the planetary Greenhouse Effect.

It’s a vicious cycle – and the ultimate impact on the entire planet is yet to be clearly understood, although it doesn’t appear to be a net positive.

How much ice is locked in the polar ice caps?

Just how much ice is locked in the polar ice caps? On the Earth’s North Pole, for example, the ice can be an average of 3 to 4 meters thick, but there are ridges up to 20 meters thick. This ice covers an area of 9 to 12 million square kilometers.

The Greenland Ice sheet can be considered a part of the polar ice system, and that sheet covers some 1.7 million square kilometers. So what we’re talking about here is about 2.6 million cubic kilometers of ice.

The South Pole is covered with the Antarctic Ice Sheet and covered an area of 14.6 square kilometers of ice. This comprises from 25 to 30 million cubic kilometers of ice.

Why do the Ice Caps Stay Frozen?

Why do the poles of the Earth remain bitter cold and covered with ice year round? It’s because the angle at which the sun strikes these regions is always very indirect.

The sun never rises high enough directly over the poles to produce significant solar melting. So the only way for the polar ice to melt is when the entire average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere rises. (Although even the polar regions have short summer seasons where some limited melting occurs).

Polar Ice Caps Controversy

Keep in mind that controversy rages over whether the polar ice caps are melting due to natural causes or because of man-made activities, such as cars and factories pumping up the carbon levels in the atmosphere.

Some 12,000 years ago a great natural warming trend reduced the polar ice caps to an enormous degree, and very quickly.

But it’s also true that the vast majority of climate scientists today subscribe to man-made global warming as the cause of the polar ice caps. Agencies like NASA and NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) maintain an official position that polar ice melting is caused by human activity.

Regards,
Peter

Polar Ice Caps Melting

How Does Global Warming Work

“How does global warming work?” is a question that many people in the world are asking. Most of the people would have already heard of global warming and the melting of the polar ice caps, but many people may still be unaware how global warming is affecting them.  One of the most alarming environmental changes affecting our planet is the melting of the polar ice caps and many people believe that this is the result of global warming.

How does global warming work?

Global warming is the unexpectedly high increase in the temperature of earth’s atmosphere in a very short span of time. Change in global temperature is a natural phenomenon and is supposed to occur at a gradual pace.    Global warming works by the means of greenhouse gases like water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane etc. Due to the increase in the concentration of these greenhouse gases more heat is trapped on the earth which has caused a sudden increase in the temperature of the earth. Global warming and the greenhouse effect has become an increasingly important and worrying issue.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The Earth receives energy from the sun. The sunlight falling on the surface of the earth reflects back to the space as long wavelengths, but some of these wavelengths are absorbed by the greenhouses gases present in the atmosphere, thereby warming the atmosphere. This warming of earth by greenhouse gases is termed as greenhouse effect.

Is greenhouse effect really harmful?

Due to concerns about global warming the greenhouse effect is usually considered bad. But the greenhouse effect is not a bad thing in itself. The greenhouse effect is the phenomenon which helps to keep the earth warm, which is a necessary condition for the survival of living organisms on the earth. If there was no greenhouse effect on the earth, then our planet would be similar to mars – too cold for life as we know it.

If the Greenhouse effect is important for our survival, then why are we scared of it? The problem does not lie in the fact that greenhouse effect exists on the planet earth. The problem lies in the fact that over the years the greenhouse effect has increased at an alarming rate causing a sudden increase in the world temperatures. Increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which leads to increased heat absorption by them causing an increase in the temperature.

Extremes of anything are usually bad, and extreme changes in global temperature are no exception. If greenhouse gases rise significantly above the optimum levels, then there would be more warming of the earth, which could have adverse effects on all living organisms of the earth. Many people believe that the effects of global warming can already be seen in the form of polar ice caps melting and the rapidly rising sea levels, increased number of violent storms and tornadoes, extreme weather conditions around the world, extinction of many species etc.

What are the major greenhouse gases contributing to global warming?

The major gases responsible for global warming are Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. However gases like fluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride also contribute to global warming but their role is very minor when compared to that of carbon dioxide and methane.

- Carbon dioxide:  This is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, which is released to the atmosphere whenever something is burnt. The major sources of carbon dioxide emissions have been the burning of fossil fuels in the power plants and in the internal combustion engines of vehicles. It is estimated that 72% of the total greenhouse gases emitted is carbon dioxide.

- Methane:  After carbon dioxide, methane is another gas responsible for contributing to global warming. 18-19% of the totally emitted greenhouse gases are methane. As a greenhouse gas, methane is hundred times more powerful than carbon dioxide, when its effects are measured over a decade. Rice paddies, intestinal ducts of herbivores animals, marshes, natural gas leakages etc. are a major source of methane emission. Another source of methane is clathrates. These are frozen chunks of ice and methane is trapped in them. As and one these clathrates melt, methane is released to the atmosphere.

- Nitrous oxide:  Nitrous oxide constitutes about 9% of the total greenhouse gases. Higher concentration of nitrous oxide has been found in and around agricultural lands, owing to the fact that the farmers use large quantities of nitrogen rich fertilizers in their lands.

Is Global Warming at a point of no return?

Nature has its own control system to ensure that the planet remains fit for life. But many people believe that mankind has abused nature to such an extent that nature itself has become our biggest enemy. Natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, extreme rains, droughts speak of the same thing.  Scientists around the world have stated that we still have some time left in our hands to undo the environmental and climate damage that has occurred.  After that the damages will be irreversible. It is now in our hands to ensure that all of us play our part in controlling global warming to prevent environmental disaster in the coming years.

Regards,
Peter

Polar Ice Caps Melting

Solutions for Global Warming

The problem of Global Warming is now a major concern and many people and organizations around the world are keen to find the solutions for Global Warming.

The meltdown of polar ice caps which still continues is an example and an indication that the Global Warming problem has still not been solved. Many solutions have been suggested in the past, but most of them never been implemented effectively.  Most of the solutions for Global Warming did not work as expected because of the partial participation of the global communities.

What are the levels at which the solutions for Global Warming can be implemented?

The problem of Global Warming has gradually acquired such a huge magnitude that it is very difficult for a group people, or individual nations to be able to rectify the problem. Since each one of us knowingly or unknowingly is responsible for the problem of Global Warming the onus to fight against the issue lies on all of us. The solutions for Global Warming need to be implemented at two major levels:

1.            At the global level of governments of all nations of the world.

2.            At the individual level of us all as global citizens.

Solutions for Global Warming to be implemented at government level

All solutions of Global Warming which are required to be implemented by means of regulations to bigger organizations, firms and groups of people need to be implemented via the governments of all respective nations.

5 ways how governments of all nations could help fight against Global Warming:

#1. Reduction in the use of fossil fuels in the industries:

Industries which use fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas to obtain power for their processes are the ones which lead to the most significant amount of emission of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas causing the maximum amount of temperature increase of the atmosphere.

It has been widely argued that there should be a regulation put in place for the industries to gradually decommission the use of fossil fuels for power supply to and move towards the use of green and clean means of power generation like solar energy, hydroelectric energy, wind energy etc.

#2. Reduction in the use of petroleum products:

The smoke coming out of the vehicles using petroleum products is another cause for the emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Controlling this cause of Global Warming is one of the greatest challenges worldwide.

Governments should encourage and incentive their citizens to go for vehicles which do not use petroleum products to run. For example encouraging the use of electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, flex fuel vehicles, and hybrid vehicles. Since there are very few electric vehicles in the market now, governments may need to act to the setting up more production plants for these kinds of vehicles. Subsidizing the production of electric vehicles would is one potentially effective strategy to encourage the manufacture and use of electric vehicles.

#3. More research projects for finding alternative clean sources of power:

Government’s should fund and subsidize more research projects targeted at finding alternative green and clean sources of power. There are many alternative clean sources of energy like solar energy, wind energy which are already known to us. Research is being conducted on devising ways to utilize renewable energy on a larger scale are already being conducted in many nations, but further research and investment is still required.

#4. Reduce deforestation and increasing the green cover of the land:

Trees help to absorb the carbon dioxide of atmosphere. Deforestation is reducing the number of trees which could otherwise be of help in reducing the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide content. Although there are many regulations already put in order to control deforestation, they are not being followed strictly in some parts of the world. It is therefore necessary that the governments monitor and enforce these regulations more strictly. Governments should also focus in increasing the green cover of the earth by planting more trees.

#5. Increasing awareness amongst the citizens of their nations:

No matter how many regulations are put in place by the governments, these would not be successful if they are not supported by the individuals. People would not adhere to the rules unless they are made aware of the implications of causing harm to the environment. People should be made aware of how harmful Global Warming is for them and for the coming generations, and what could be their role in help curb the issue. Many people in the world are still illiterate. Educating people and increasing their environmental consciousness level must be taken up.

Solutions for Global Warming to be implemented at the level of each individual

Global Warming is a problem that affects everyone equally. Therefore, we as individuals must take steps at our own levels to help contribute to the cause of reducing Global Warming.

5 ways how individuals could engage in supporting solutions for Global Warming:

#1. Conserve electricity:

The production of electricity adds to the problem of Global Warming. It is a fact that we cannot live without electricity. But we can be of help to the environment by cutting down our use of electricity. Do not waste electricity in any way. Switch off the lights, fans and other electrical equipment when not in use. Use energy saving electrical equipment. Do not put unnecessary lighting. Use equipment which could run on solar energy and other forms of renewable energy.

#2. Make use of solar energy:

Production of solar power on a large scale in industries is complex, but solar energy is capable of supporting the small functions at homes like cooking food, boiling water, water pumping etc. Try installing solar panels at home for meeting your daily electricity requirements. Using solar panels you can even store electricity to be used at nights. In addition to being a clean source of power, solar energy can also costs less than traditional power over the long term.

#3. Reduce carbon emissions from vehicles:

The need of transportation cannot be avoided. But we can contribute to the reduction in emission by making right choices in the way we commute. Maintain your vehicles well, and get their engines serviced at regular intervals so that the carbon emission from them is reduced. Go for a car which does not use petroleum products for running. Use public transportation to travel. Walk to small distances. Opt for car pools on your way to work. These options would not only help protect the environment, but they would also help you save money.

#4. Go vegetarian:

For a great population of non-vegetarian food lovers around the world, a large number of livestock is reared and maintained. The intestinal ducts of these animals produce methane at the time of digestion. Methane is the most potent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. If we change our eating habits and ate more vegetarian food, we could significantly bring down the demand for livestock and therefore a lesser number of them would be maintained.

#5. Educate your children:

We should educate our children on the aspects of promoting a greener environment. Teach them the concepts of how to become an environmentally conscious citizen. Teach them about the causes and effects of Global Warming. The more we educate our children about the environment, the more they would behave in an environmentally friendly way.

Final thoughts on solutions for Global Warming

The dramaitic melting of the polar ice caps is a strak warning of the possible impact of global warming on the environment and on our planet. Most people want to see solutions for Global Warming. If we want something to change, we will first have to be the change ourselves. For a great present and for a better tomorrow, we should begin including some of the solutions for Global Warming in our daily lives.  We also need to ensure that our govenments implement effective solutions for Global Warming.

Regards,
Peter

Polar Ice Caps Melting

How is global warming caused?

It is a matter of vital importance to understand what Global Warming is. We need to understand how Global Warming is caused so that we are able to maintain a sustainable environment for ourselves and for the generations to come.

* Global Warming:

Global Warming is a term used to describe the rise in the average temperature of the earth’s atmosphere and the ocean, and its anticipated continuation over the coming years.

An increase in the temperature has a direct adverse impact on all of the nature’s cycles which take place on the earth and in its atmosphere; and thereby affects all humans equally. As such Global Warming is one of the most critical matters of concern about the environment.

* Why is Global Warming a concern?

- Due to Global Warming, the rise in temperature is occurring at a pace faster than what many living organisms can adapt.

- Raised temperatures of the environment may be responsible for the polar ice caps melting.  If global warming causes the polar ice caps to melt this in turn could raise the water level of seas substantially. Raised sea levels may submerge some part of many cities and lands on the sea shore.

- Melting arctic glaciers have been a source of water to our rivers for thousands of years. If these glaciers melt down quickly, it may lead to scarcity in water supply eventually.

- Raised temperatures can adversely affect the weather cycles leading to more drastic storms and hurricanes, heavy rains followed by longer periods without rains; leading to droughts and famines in many areas of the world.

- Global Warming may also impact agricultural yields, in terms of either having a very good agricultural production or having a very low production.

- Global Warming has lead to the emergence of many new diseases as it is easier for bacteria to survive in elevated temperatures. Scientists also expect that warmer temperatures may promote diseases from hanta to machupo and even the ebola virus.

- Global Warming may also be responsible for the extinction of many species.

- Increased temperature of the sea water may disturb the entire undersea ecosystem. The coral reef is expected to be completely extinguished with raised atmospheric temperatures.

* How is Global Warming caused?

It is critically important that human race understand the causes responsible for Global Warming so that these causes can be well dealt with, while we still have time. The causes of Global Warming are due to both natural processes and man-made causes. However, before we proceed to get into the details of the natural and man-made causes responsible for Global Warming, it is first important to understand in brief something about the ‘greenhouse effect’.

-The Greenhouse effect:

Some part of the sunlight of the sun is absorbed by the earth to warm itself, and the rest is reflected back to space in longer wavelengths. The greenhouse gases of the atmosphere like water vapors, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20), fluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) absorb these longer wavelengths which otherwise would have lost to space; thereby warming the atmosphere. This phenomenon wherein the greenhouses gases trap the sunlight from the sun to warm the atmosphere is called the greenhouse effect. An increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere means that more heat from the sunlight would be trapped, which would raise the temperature of the atmosphere; thereby contributing more to the problem of Global Warming. Therefore, in order to solve the problem of Global Warming, we would have to put in measures to decrease the concentration of greenhouse gases by cutting down their emissions.

- Natural processes that contribute to Global Warming

Though the natural processes have always been in existence, they never really posed any huge risk owing to the slow pace and magnitude at which they affect the earth’s temperature, and also owing to the simultaneous pace at which the nature corrects these effects. But together with the man-made causes of Global Warming the natural causes are worth considering. Also, to understand the comprehensive picture of Global Warming it is important to understand the natural processes contributing to the Global Warming.

1.            Emission of methane, which is a greenhouse gas, from marshes, wetlands, arctic tundra, rice paddies, cattle etc. is a prominent natural cause contributing to Global Warming.

2.            As more and more of the polar ice caps and glaciers melt, a compound called methane clathrate trapped in the crystalline structure of ice containing large amounts of methane is released,  thereby adding to the already existing Global Warming problem.

3.            Another natural cause for the increased temperatures around the world is the climate change cycle of earth which usually lasts for a period of about 40,000 years.

4.            Change in the output of the sun by a mere 1% over the time of 100 years may raise the average temperature of earth by about 0.5 to 1.0 degree Celsius.

5.            Any slight change in the shape of the orbit of the Earth around the Sun would affect the total amount of solar energy received by Earth, which could alter the temperature of planet Earth.

- Man-made causes of Global Warming

Although there are natural processes which contribute to Global Warming, a major contribution to Global Warming has been the activities of humans. Man has been responsible for the excessive generation and emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at such a fast rate that the natural corrective processes have been left far behind in the race. The most prominent contribution of humans to Global Warming has been the emission of carbon dioxide gas. The major man-made reasons for Global Warming are listed down below.

1.            Burning fossil fuels in power plants:

This is one of the most important contributors to Global Warming. The burning of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil) in the furnaces of the power plants and industries emits a large amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is approximated that 72% of the greenhouse effect is caused by carbon dioxide alone.

2.            Deforestation:

Deforestation has led to the decrease in the number of trees and plants which play an important role in capturing and storing the carbon dioxide of the atmosphere. Activities of the human race increase the sources of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere and at the same time decrease the sources of carbon dioxide absorption; resulting in a two-way damage to the environment.

3.            Burning petroleum products for transportation:

With the growth of the human population, the need for an increased transportation arises. In most of the means of transportation, petroleum products are utilized for combustion, which leads to the increased emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere

4.            Increased application of nitrogen rich fertilizers to crops:

To increase the harvest, farmers make use of nitrogen rich fertilizers in the agricultural lands. Therefore owing to the larger concentration of nitrogen oxides in and around the farmlands more heat is from the Sun is trapped, since per unit volume of nitrogen oxides can trap three times more heat than carbon dioxide.

5.            Rearing more livestock for the ever increasing population:

A large population means a large requirement of food supply. To meet this increased supply more agriculture is done and more livestock are reared. The intestinal guts of the cattle release a large amount of methane during the digestion process. After carbon dioxide, methane is the second most potent greenhouse gas.

6.            Gases used for industrial processes and refrigeration.

Many industrial processes, refrigeration and air conditioning release fluorocarbons which as greenhouse gases contribute to Global Warming.

7.            Disposal of agricultural bi-products and other wastes:

Disposal of agricultural bi products or any other type of waste in general is another cause of Global Warming. If the waste is disposed by means of burning then carbon dioxide is produced and if the waste is decomposed, then the decomposition process emits methane. Both carbon dioxide and methane are potent greenhouse gases.

The term ‘Global Warming’ speaks to the fact that it is a global issue. It should therefore be the responsibility of the global citizens of the earth to ensure that we are doing our bit to fight against the causes of Global Warming. Once all of us as individuals are aware as to how Global Warming is caused it should be easier to resolve the issues involved in Global Warming.

Regards,
Peter

Polar Ice Caps Melting

Polar Ice Cap Facts

There is much debate and disagreement about global warming and the melting of the polar ice caps.

It is important to know the facts about the Polar ice caps because the polar ice affects the earth’s rise in sea level, changes in the ocean’s circulation, as well as changes the earth’s temperature.

What are the Polar Ice Caps?

The ice caps are vast, sometimes domed sheets of ice that cover polar region areas.  The polar regions are the Arctic region, commonly known as the North Pole, and the Antarctic region, known as the South Pole.  Earth’s polar regions are the areas surrounding 90 degrees north of the equator (the North Pole), and 90 degrees south (the South Pole), respectively.  It is not just the earth that has polar ice caps. Interestingly, the moon is also thought to contain ice, in its deep polar regions, and Mars has ice caps as well.

While we know that ice caps are a body of solid state matter in the polar region

A polar ice cap is a covering of ice of any size on a high latitude region of a planet.

(Rather confusingly in non-polar regions an ice cap must be an ice mass covering less than 50,000 km2 of land area, and an ice mass larger than this is called an ice sheet, or glacier.)

Often the terms ice caps and ice sheet are used interchangeably to describe the polar ice caps.

Polar climate

Polar regions have extremely cold climates, and ice caps form here due to a number of factors.  The polar regions receive less intense solar radiation, because it is sometimes hidden by the earth’s daily rotation.  The sun also has to travel the longest distance to reach the polar regions, and the solar energy is scattered or reflected before it gets to the poles.  The axial tilt of the earth has a major effect on the climate of the polar regions, since they are the furthest from the equator, they receive the least amount of sunlight, making polar ice caps or glaciers possible.

Approximately 80 percent of the sunlight that strikes the polar ice caps, is reflected by the ice, resulting in very cold climates in the polar regions.  This cycle continues, with cold climates, ice caps are formed, and with ice caps, colder climates prevail.  Because of the location of the polar regions, the average temperature for the warmest month of July is only 50 degrees.  The average winter temperature is 40 degrees below zero, and any precipitation mostly comes in the form of snow.  With the extremely cold temperatures, the snows turn to additional layers of ice, and it perpetuates with very little solar radiation.

Forming of the Polar Ice Caps

Initially formed as snow, the ice caps or glaciers build up year after year, creating a thick layer of ice.  In the Eocene-Oligocene transition period over 34 million years ago, there was a rapid development of a continental ice sheet on Antarctica, and the giant ice sheet, or glacier for the most part, remains covered in floating packs of ice in the Arctic, and the giant ice sheets stay intact year-round in Antarctica.

Polar Ice Caps Effect on the planet

Ice caps have a direct effect on aspects of the weather, and water cycle, even though they are not moving.  Because ice caps reflect sunlight and heat, air temperatures can be higher, a mile above the ice caps, and wind patterns, which affect weather systems, can be dramatic around these landscapes covered with ice.

Over 70 percent of the earth’s fresh water is locked in the frozen ice masses of Antarctica, with an average ice thickness of over a mile.  Polar ice cap melting would create a rise in sea levels, and a sudden collapse of West Antarctic ice sheets could raise sea levels from 16-20 feet.

While the ice caps are beautiful to look at, and may be on the New Wonders of the World list, they serve a purpose in earth cycles.  It is shown that the ice caps are shrinking almost 9 percent each decade.

What happens if Polar Ice Caps Melt?

If the polar ice masses disappear, many dramatic changes will happen as a result.  Some of these possible effects of the polar ice cap disappearing are:

Temperatures:  The earth will absorb more sunlight and become hotter, due to the sun not being reflected by the ice caps.

Sea levels:  The sea levels will rise, beach erosion and coastal flooding along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts will occur, and freshwater supplies will be contaminated.

Weather pattern Changes:  Weather patterns will be affected by the other changes due to shrinking ice caps, eventually affecting food production.

These are but a few drastic changes that may occur if the ice caps disappear.

Causes of Polar Ice Caps melting

There are many reasons for changes in the ice caps, but one reason in particular that is discussed, is Global Warming.  There are thousands of scientists working at several dozen research stations, maintained by the various members of the Arctic Council, who are still striving to find answers as to why the ice is disappearing.  Whether it is due to man-made pollution, or whether it is a natural phenomenon, or whether a combination of both is yet to be proven definitely.  Changes to the polar ice caps are getting acute attention, because the results that could happen if they disappear are potentially catastrophic. Knowing the facts about the Polar Ice Caps has never been more important.

Regards,
Peter

Polar Ice Caps Melting

Global Warming Polar Ice Caps

The Polar Ice Caps dramatic decrease in size in recent years has been seen by many people as evidence of Global warming.

The melting of the polar ice caps has been very sudden and has alarmed many people. Polar ice caps melting is seen as an early warning signal that climate change is affecting our planet.

As a result of this concern, global warming effects on the polar ice caps have been, and are being studied intensively.

Increase in Arctic temperature

Because most of the Arctic has significantly increased in temperature over the last ten years, the polar ice caps, specifically sea ice in the Arctic, has been declining at a rate of 9 percent per decade.

Researchers suspect that changing atmospheric pressure patterns and warming Arctic temperatures are the cause.  This increase in Arctic temperatures is thought to be a result of greenhouse gases that have built up in the atmosphere.

Global warming

Global warming is the increase in average temperature which is observed and projected to occur in the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans.

Greenhouse Effect

The “greenhouse effect” is a term used to describe the effect that greenhouse gases have on the atmosphere, and subsequently the Earth.  A portion of sunlight is absorbed by the Earth.  The sunlight that is not absorbed, is reflected back to the atmosphere, at a wavelength longer than the initial sunlight.

These longer wavelengths of sunlight are absorbed by any greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, before they travel to space.  While the lower radiant energy from the sun warms the atmosphere, the greenhouse gases reflect the additional radiant energy that would have been reflected to space, back to the Earth increasing the Earth’s temperature more.

Greenhouse gases in essence, act like a mirror, reflecting heat radiation back to the Earth.  The higher the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the more energy and heat is reflected to the Earth.

The major greenhouse gases causing this viscious cycle include:

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – created by burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas, petrol, kerosene etc.

Water Vapor – atmospheres higher in humidity absorb more thermal energy, resulting in a warmer atmosphere, and as the temperature of the atmosphere rises, more water is absorbed by the atmosphere in an on-going cycle.

Methane (CH4) – It is produced by using natural gas, mining coal, raising livestock, and it is produced naturally in swamplands, and rice crops.

Ozone – Tropospheric ozone is an interaction between radiation and oxygen.  Small fraction descends from the stratosphere to the Earth, and is also present in exhaust emissions from vehicles, pollution from factories, and burning vegetation.  Ozone also interacts with methane in the  atmosphere.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O) – This is produced by reactions and processes in the soil and water, and reactions which occur in fertilizer containing nitrogen.  It is also produced by some power plants, nylon production, and nitric acid production.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – CFCs are entirely man made, invented in 1928, and used in refrigerants, as aerosol propellants, and cleaning solvents.

Is Global warming caused by the greenhouse effect?

Global warming due to the greenhouse effect is thought by many scientists to directly contribute to the warming of the Earth, thus causing polar ice caps to melt, which in turn affects the temperature of the earth, making it even warmer.

Research experts look to the Earth’s polar regions as early indicators for the Earth’s climate change, and statistics seem to show evidence of growing temperature increases on Earth.

Arctic melt season

Significant evidence of rising temperature is the length of the melt season in the Arctic ice caps.  The melt season has been increased up to 17 days per decade since 1985.  Longer melt periods mean reduced growth seasons, thinner sea ice caps, and more ice caps melting.  This in turn exposes the sea and allows the sea to absorb more heat.

Floating and non-floating polar caps

Warming of any floating polar caps are not the biggest concern of flooding, because the ice is already floating, and its melting would not cause ocean levels to rise by itself (Archimedes principle).   The conditions that the exposed sea water causes, and the conditions causing the ice caps to melt are very threatening however.

When any non-floating ice caps, sheets or glaciers begin melting, it will cause a rise in global ocean levels.  A rise of just a few inches could cause disastrous effects on coastal towns, cities, and ecosystems.

Changes in the temperature of the ocean’s layers also impact ocean circulation, the amount of salt in the water, and marine life.  If temperatures rise to melt sea ice caps, and arctic tundras thaw, it may release significant amounts of carbon dioxide and methane trapped in the permafrost, or frozen soil.

Long term polar climate trends

Researchers are looking for patterns and trends of warming, not just yearly changes.  Overall, the direction of the pattern does suggest continual warming for the Arctic ice cap region, yet there are some places such as Greenland which appear to have decreasing temperatures.

Although it is still difficult to connect specific causes and events to global warming, drastic reduction of greenhouse gases can help to stop the trend from accelerating.

If the patterns reflect correctly, the changes in temperature and precipitation patterns seen, can influence and increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of weather events such as droughts, heat waves, floods, and tornadoes.

Some things that we can do to help prevent global warming are:

•  Use fluorescent light bulbs
•  Turn lights off
•  Unplug electronics when not in use
•  Vehicle maintenance, inflating tires, and driving with less gas and brake action
•  Buy more fuel-efficient vehicles
•  Wash clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot water, and dry clothes outside when possible
•  Lower home heating temperatures even by just 2 degrees down on the thermostat
• Use solar or wind energy as an option to electricity if possible
• Recycle plastic, paper and glass

Drastic reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere today, can help to stop the increasing temperature trend, and melting of the Arctic polar ice caps, slowing the perpetuation of the rise in the Earth’s temperature.

The global warming of polar ice caps affects us all.  Whether or not you believe in the global warming theory, individually helping to prevent global warming, will save you money, and every little step, will help to make a change for the better.  Global warming and polar ice caps melting, are issues in which we all have opinions about, but the effects affect us all.

Regards,
Peter

Polar Ice Caps Melting

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