Expository essay on the Climate change on Antarctica PDF

Preview

Summary

Effects of climate change on Antarctica...

Description

Effect of Global Warming on Antarctica The world is not the same as it was before. The human population keeps on growing by the minute while resources are running out. The air is getting thinner and the atmosphere is getting warmer. If you look at the news, you will see, “Air pollution leads to millions of ER visits for asthma attacks worldwide… (George Washington University)”, “Fish populations in Great Barrier Reef collapse… (Gabbatiss)” and “With thick ice gone, Arctic sea ice changes more slowly (Rasmussen)”, the earth is dying as we speak and it is not safe anymore. For future generations to come, we need to act now and save the environment. For centuries, we have experienced a haven full of resources that we need in order to live, in order to survive but not even once did we think that it will eventually run out. There are fifteen major environmental problems that pose a huge threat to the environment such as pollution, global warming, overpopulation, natural resource depletion, waste disposal, climate change, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, ocean acidification, and ozone layer depletion. But the most threatening environmental problem could be global warming. Global warming is the increase in the atmosphere’s temperature due to the increase in the level of carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbon emissions which leads to the greenhouse effect. In other words, the environment is getting warmer and the animals, plants, and people in it are suffering. During the 20 th century, because of the advancement in technology, greenhouse gases were released into the atmosphere, which resulted in global warming and ozone depletion. This drastic change in the global temperature triggered a series of extreme climatic events such as droughts, storm surges, and tropical cyclones. These extreme

climatic events heavily affected polar regions specifically Antarctica. The melting of the ice caps in Antarctica could be considered as the most crucial environmental issue. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, mostly come from anthropogenic forcings, such as livestock farming, deforestation and fossil fuel burning (Agee, Orton and Rogers 283). This means that greenhouse gases absorb heat from the radiation of the sun, preventing its reflection back from the surface of the earth. If greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continue to increase, then the temperature in Antarctica would also increase, which could result in a decrease in its sea ice by one third. Therefore, climate change due to global warming would not only cause these seasonal changes but also impart lasting impact on Antarctic sea ice. In Antarctica, various changes in its sea ice cover have been observed which are believed to be caused by climate change (Agee, Orton and Rogers 283). Global temperature rise has led to ice melting and calving, and the endangerment of sea ice-dependent species such as penguins and polar bears. Extreme climatic events in Antarctica, such as extensive snowfall or sea ice melting, can cause range contractions or even local extinctions to sea icedependent species (Hayden and Begley). Hayden and Begley found that for the last million years, cycles of expansion and contraction of Antarctic ice sheets not only resulted to local extinctions of several biological communities but also affected the functioning of the ecosystem. An example of which is that penguin and fish species have suffered from sea ice decline as they rely on the ice as a source of their food and habitat. These species are dependent on sea ice for their survival. Extensive sea ice cover may also result in a decline in their population by lowering their

breeding success (Lescroël, Ballard and Gremillet) and the survival rate of penguins and fishes gradually decreases. Lescroël, Ballard, and Gremillet also stated that increased snowfall is associated with the decrease in Adélie penguin population. Thus, we can say that extreme events negatively impact sea-ice dependent species. Ice calving has both negative and positive effects on Antarctic climate change. In contrast to climate model predictions and the observed response of the Arctic, climate change in Antarctica has resulted in an expansion of its sea ice cover (Hansen, Sato and Hearty). When an ice shelf disintegrates, giant icebergs are produced. These icebergs, as they drift along with the current, provide the nutrients that microscopic plants (phytoplankton) require germinating and populate (Hayden and Begley). The increase in phytoplankton will enable the carbon dioxide to be captured and reduce the warming in the atmosphere. But iceberg scouring may contribute a small carbon gain or even a loss as it scrapes off the seabed (Agee, Orton and Rogers 284) so the two will just cancel each other out. Researchers have found, through imaging and sampling, that recent deep-water scours resulted in a near destruction of oceanic fauna and flora (Agee, Orton and Rogers 284). Even small icebergs can significantly decrease the potential for carbon capture and storage (Hayden and Begley). In addition, a mitigating mechanism was also modeled by Hansen, Sato, and Hearty which shows that there could be an increase with sea ice cover because of an increase in surface air temperature.

These mechanisms have limited the effect of climate change on

Antarctic sea ice, but they also impart casualties on the living organisms. Climate change has caused variations in Antarctic ice cover which has not only negatively affected sea ice-dependent species in the continent and but also

contributed to global sea level rise. The increase in sea level is the main cause of tsunami and flash floods. It can be considered as the most threatening environmental problem that needs attention because of its life-threatening effects. In addition to that, Antarctica is not only the main receiver of global warming, the countries located in the polar region also experience change in their environment. Negative impacts of climate change are evident and are increasing in number; therefore, people, who are the main contributors of greenhouse gas forcing in the atmosphere should heighten their efforts in decreasing future contributors of climate change. The United Nations (UN) implemented the Treaty of Paris for the purpose of battling global warming. The treaty involves the carbon emission of vehicles in every country in the UN to limit their emissions. Our appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners and vehicle engines are the main sources of carbon that depletes the ozone layer. As a suggestion, scientists should research on minimizing the carbon emission from these appliances through innovations such as air filters and radiation regulators. The government and other organizations could increase the awareness of the people regarding the amplified impact of climate change on the polar regions and promote some action that may reduce the greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. The environmental law on the provision of backyard burning should be strictly implemented by the government. Another possible mediation to global warming is to save water because it also reduces carbon emissions. Water provides oxygen that can balance out the carbon emission in the environment. As a consumer of energy, we shoud decrease our energy consumption in electricity and fuel to have longer lasting resources and to avoid ultraviolet radiation. Last but not least, a simple act of planting trees can

already diminish the effect of global warming because trees trap carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. The toxic substance in the atmosphere can be filtered out by the trees thus, it is a sustainable and effective solution against global warming. It is not too late. If we work together, nothing is impossible. We did this to our environment. It is our job to face the consequences of our actions. There is no other time to act but now. Our planet needs us. It is our turn to give something back to the environment. Word count: 1240

Works cited Agee, Ernest, Andrea Orton, and John Rogers. "CO2 Snow Deposition in Antarctica to curtail anthropogenic global warming." Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology (2013): 283-284.

Gabbatiss, Josh. "Fish populations in Great Barrier Reef collapse after devastating coral bleaching events." 2018.

George Washington University. "Air pollution leads to millions of ER visits for asthma attacks worldwide: First study to quantify the global burden of asthma linked to dirty air." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 October 2018. . Hansen, James, et al. "Ice melt, sea level rise, and superstorm: evidence from Paleoclimate data, climate modeling, and modern observations that two degrees Celcius Global Warming is dangerous." (2011). Hayden, Thomas and Sharon Begley. "Cold comfort. (warming in Antarctica may affect native wildlife)." Canadian Periodicals 11 August 1997: 62.

Lescroel, Amelie, et al. "Antarctic Climate Change: Extreme Events Disrupt Plastic Phenotypic Response in

Adelie Penguins." PLoS ONE (2014).

Rasmussen, Carol. "With thick ice gone, Arctic sea ice changes more slowly." October 11, 2018. Web....