CSB#7: Trouble in the Arctic

      As Global Warming continues, the situation becomes more dire, as seen in the Arctic. The effects have been more substantial than experts predicted. According to measurements, the past five years have been the warmest since 1880, when they started taking temperature data. Furthermore, data, like tree rings, have proven that it has been the warmest period in 2000 years. In addition, the winter period has been decreased by two weeks and the snow cover in May and June has decreased nearly 20%. The data makes it clear that global warming is leading to unwanted consequences, such as increasing water levels. However, the situation will only get worse. According to Margareta Johansson, a researcher, permafrost, soil below the freezing point of water, is thawing quickly. She emphasizes, "There is approximately double the amount of carbon in the permafrost as there is in the atmosphere today." If released carbon dioxide would lead to catastrophic consequences and further increase in global warming. In addition, there will be less reflection of the solar radiation by ice and snow, thus more heat will be absorbed, which in turn will lead to increased temperatures.  This data is very significant, and proves that we must continue and increase our efforts to prevent global warming. Evidence clearly proves that our industrial activity is one of the major causes to increased temperatures, thus we must do whatever we can to slow global warming down. New estimates indicate that the sea level will rise 0.9 to 1.6 meters by 2100, and the arctic accounts for 40% of global sea level increase. This means that many low level lands will probably be gone, including part of Manhattan and other places like the Maldives. I chose this article, because it really demonstrates the effects that global warming will have if we do not slow it down.

Resources:
Picture: http://www.dailygalaxy.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/0/28/arctic_northwest_passage_3.jpg
Article: US News. " Climate Change Effects in Arctic More Extensive than Expected." US
     News. US News, n.d. Web. 8 May 2011. <http://www.usnews.com/science/
     articles/2011/05/06/
     climate-change-effects-in-arctic-more-extensive-than-expected>.