What happens if the polar ice caps melt?
As I dive further into scientific literature and research papers regarding the issue of melting icecaps I move further away from a thorough answer. Science is far from being perfect and all too often research data and results are manipulated and used in destructive ways. I agree that polar ice caps are melting. Satellite images and vanishing ice sheets are proof enough for me. The notion that I struggle with is the human connection. I am all about ecological and environmental problem solving but I can’t help but look at nature as series of cycles. The shift in our climate leads me to think that this is part of Earth’s natural cycle. Although we can all do something to minimize our carbon footprint, I am sceptical about humans being fully responsible for climate change. If every person and industry actively eliminated all carbon emission and thus curbing climate change, would it be enough to stop our ice caps form melting?
Scientific evidence exists to support the theory that polar ice caps are melting. In some areas of the world they are melting at an alarming rate. I say alarming because anything different or abnormal will have a negative impact on living and non-living matter. Seasonal periods of droughts should not be replaced with record breaking rainfall. The local ecosystems and wildlife are not equipped to adjust to sudden changes. As a result, species disappear, must relocate or find themselves competing with other organism or even humans for space, food or shelter.
This science inquiry has left me with many questions:
- Once the ice caps are gone (and all the fresh water stored in them), will our groundwater supply be capable of supporting our demands?
- Do we have sufficient mechanisms in place (natural and man-made) to purify the fresh-water we have if it becomes contaminated?
- Is it possible to use osmosis on a large scale to purify our salt water?
- If sea levels rise as much as scientist predict, will we be able to grow enough food to feed the Earth’s population with the limited land available? Will technological advances be ready to grow bigger, better crops on smaller acreage?
- Can humans really make that big a difference in climate change?
I know that scientists and researchers have data that can help answer these questions in a number of ways – both positively and negatively.
I feel the same way. I too have more questions and am more unsure about what would happen if the polar ice caps melted than I was before I did any research. It is very interesting to hear different perspectives and theories about global warming, since no one really knows for sure what will happen.
ReplyDeleteI have not really paid that much attention to the melting of the polar ice caps, but after reading some articles and listening to interviews, I realize that this is a serious issue. Like you, I put it up to earth's natural cycles, but after hearing about how drastic the changes are, I can't help but take it much more seriously. You make an excellent point with your question of eliminating all carbon emissions being enough to stop the melting. How much as to do with humans, how much has to do with nature, and how much of this process can be reversed by one species?
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