The purpose of this post is to talk about ice melting. As we all know, this background is caused by global warming. This phenomenon is accelerating incredibly and unexpectedly fast nowadays, beating the old records. This record thing started in the 90's (which were also the warmest years on record). Scientists say that this intense melting is among the first observable signs of human induced global warming, because of the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases over the last century.
The ice caps have a remarkable function for planet Earth because it works as a mirror, which reflects big part of the sun's heat back into space, and therefore, keeps it with an acceptable average of temperature. This means that if the ice continues to melt, there will be life-threatening consequences. As an example, the Arctic sea ice used to cover almost the size of the United States in the 1960's. Its average of thickness has been dropping radically : the last measurement showed a decline of nearly 40% in less than 30 years - 3,1m to 1,8m.
Another equally serious case is Antartica's. It represents 91% of the world's ice. Over the past decade, four ice shelves have entirely desintegrated : Wordie, Larsen A, Larsen B, Prince Gustav and Wilkins (this last one is approximately the size of the state of Conneticut, or about half the area of Scotland). Places like Greenland, Alaska, Himalayas, Ushuaia (Mont Olivia) are also in danger.
This giant misfortune will result a rise of the sea levels (as an example, by the year 2100 the Portuguese coast will be submerged), endangered lives and a decrease in the variety of the animal species - the lynx, iberian wolf, bengal tiger, black rhino, penguins, polar bears, among others. Another consequence is the damage of properties and animal habitats.
(image - google.com ; http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/sep/03/arctic-temperatures-climate-change , http://www3.telus.net/thegoodnews/report-5.htm )
Posted by : Joana Fernandes
Ice melting is surely on of the worst problems caused by global warming. The animals lose their habitat and their food, and on a long term effect, as you mentioned, the sea level will raise so much the portuguese coast (and others) will be completly submerged! This just shows how hard the fight against global warming is!
ReplyDeleteAs we know, ice melting is caused by global warming (caused by the pollution). The consequences of this disaster are extremely serious: the sea levels rise, animals lose their own habitats and a bigger part of the sun's heat is not reflected into the space because of the ice lost!
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