Permafrost is Thawing in Alaska
In Alaska climate change is causing many potentially disasterous events. For one the rising temperature is causing ice and wildlife habitat to disappear. However, it is also causing the layers frozen ground under Alaska, also known as permafrost, to melt. Permafrost starts a few feet below the surface of the ground and can extend down hundreds of feet. Permafrost contains large amounts of carbon in organic matter. Organic matter is mainly speaking in the terms of plants that died and froze before they could decompose. When the organic matter in the permafrost thaws, microbes convert some of the matter into carbon dioxide and methane. This can go into the atmosphere and escalate global warming. Scientists have estimated that the thawing of permafrost could eventually contribute 1.7 degrees Fahrenheit to global warming.
The information is important because it shows how much humans are actually affecting the planet. Humans began the process of climate change by causing the release of heat trapping gasses, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere. This gradual warming of the Earth eventually caused the permafrost under Alaska to begin to thaw. In our world everything we do has a cause and effect. For example, the build of gasses in the environment contributed to climate change. Climate change then caused the permafrost to thaw, releasing more methane and carbon dioxide into the environment. The gasses in the atmosphere cause the temperature to keep rising, and because of this ice and wildlife habitat are disappearing. If humans are not more careful and consider how their actions may effect the environment, we could end pushing the Earth into an unrepairable state.
Link to Article: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/23/climate/alaska-permafrost-thawing.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=
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The information is important because it shows how much humans are actually affecting the planet. Humans began the process of climate change by causing the release of heat trapping gasses, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere. This gradual warming of the Earth eventually caused the permafrost under Alaska to begin to thaw. In our world everything we do has a cause and effect. For example, the build of gasses in the environment contributed to climate change. Climate change then caused the permafrost to thaw, releasing more methane and carbon dioxide into the environment. The gasses in the atmosphere cause the temperature to keep rising, and because of this ice and wildlife habitat are disappearing. If humans are not more careful and consider how their actions may effect the environment, we could end pushing the Earth into an unrepairable state.
Link to Article: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/23/climate/alaska-permafrost-thawing.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=
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Tree Beetles threatening northeastern forests
The trees in the Northeast are now being threatened by the Southern Pine beetle. The beetles kill the trees by tunneling through the bark into the core the tree, and then eating the tissues that provide water and nutrients to the tree. Typically, these beetles are only found in warmer climates, but with climate change the temperature is increasing and the beetles are spreading. The beetles are killed by cold weather so, the Northeast's cold weather killed off any beetles that may have been there. However, over the last 50 years the annual temperatures have warmed by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the Northeast. The coldest nights that were supposed to kill the beetles have now warmed by as much as 7 degrees Fahrenheit. By 2020, the beetle could affect forests along the Atlantic Coast up to Nova Scotia. By 2050, pine forests from eastern Ohio to southern Maine could be affected by the beetle. Finally, By 2080, areas of forest in the northeastern United States and into Ontario and Quebec will be vulnerable to the beetle. Along with climate change comes invasive species that can start destroying delicate ecosystems.
This information is important because it shows that climate change can and has started to threaten delicate ecosystems. As humans, we rely on the forests to give us oxygen, wood for housing, and paper. If the forests have all been devastated and killed by the Southern Pine beetle then how are we going to obtain those resources. It takes time for a forest to grow back to state that it once was, and the devastation would misplace many species of animals that rely on the forest. Also, if the trees that are infected with the beetle are not cut down, then the beetles could continue to spread and continue to kill trees. This article just once again proves that climate change causes a chain of ecological events, that could potentially be disastrous for the world
Link to Article: www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/climate/southern-pine-beetles-killing-trees-as-temperatures-rise.htmlrref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=
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This information is important because it shows that climate change can and has started to threaten delicate ecosystems. As humans, we rely on the forests to give us oxygen, wood for housing, and paper. If the forests have all been devastated and killed by the Southern Pine beetle then how are we going to obtain those resources. It takes time for a forest to grow back to state that it once was, and the devastation would misplace many species of animals that rely on the forest. Also, if the trees that are infected with the beetle are not cut down, then the beetles could continue to spread and continue to kill trees. This article just once again proves that climate change causes a chain of ecological events, that could potentially be disastrous for the world
Link to Article: www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/climate/southern-pine-beetles-killing-trees-as-temperatures-rise.htmlrref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=
science®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=sectionfront
Hurricane Harvey sweeps mercury ashore
Hurricane Harvey has left a path of destruction in Texas. A resident that goes by the name of Bobby Griffen found drops of Mercury in the sand on his property. He only lives a few hundred yards from the San Jacinto Waste Pits, a superfund site that was bombarded by Harvey. There were many concerns about pollution and runoff because Harvey cut a path through industrial corridors. Mercury is extremely dangerous to humans. Elemental Mercury is a liquid metal that forms in tiny drops, but it is also a neurotoxin that affects the brain and nervous system. It is not absorbed very well through the skin, but its vapors are extremely dangerous. The health risks of Mercury are not widely known, and the floodwaters could have carried it anywhere. Many officials are worried that residents could unknowingly come in contact with the Mercury.
This is just one of the dangerous health hazards caused by Hurricane Harvey. These health hazards pose a risk not only to residents that choose to remain in the flood zones, but to residents that are returning to clean up their properties and houses. In the coming months, and even years, there could be an increase in sickness and disease in the areas that were affected Harvey. Dangerous contaminants getting into the water supply could affect thousands of residents. Contaminants could also affect plants and animals that live and rely on the water.
Link to Article: www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/science/harvey-superfund-mercury.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=
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This is just one of the dangerous health hazards caused by Hurricane Harvey. These health hazards pose a risk not only to residents that choose to remain in the flood zones, but to residents that are returning to clean up their properties and houses. In the coming months, and even years, there could be an increase in sickness and disease in the areas that were affected Harvey. Dangerous contaminants getting into the water supply could affect thousands of residents. Contaminants could also affect plants and animals that live and rely on the water.
Link to Article: www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/science/harvey-superfund-mercury.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=
science®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront
Space is shrinking in california's aquifers
Uncontrolled pumping from California's aquifers has reduced land's capacity to hold water. The loss of capacity is due to subsidence. Subsidence is when the soil compacts as a result of removing too much water. It is estimated that the first permanent loss of capacity was during a drought from 2007 to 2010. In the valley large sections of land have sunk down within the past couple years, due to the over pumping of groundwater. The subsidence is even causing sections of canals to buckle and this reduces the effectiveness of California's water system. The compaction of water realigns sediment grains in the clay layers, and makes it harder to put water into the reservoirs and pump it out.
The loss of storage in California's aquifers could eventually effect citizens in the future. For now, it seems as though officials are having a hard time finding places for all the water due to the amount of rain and snow California got last winter. However, this does not mean that it is an issue that should be dismissed and forgotten about, because citizens will continue to use water and pump it out of the aquifers. People need to find a way to conserve and reduce their water usage. That way when this issue comes up in the future people will not have made it worse.
Link: http:www.circleofblue.org/2017/water-climate/california-drought/sinking-land-crushes-california-
groundwater-storage-capacity/
The loss of storage in California's aquifers could eventually effect citizens in the future. For now, it seems as though officials are having a hard time finding places for all the water due to the amount of rain and snow California got last winter. However, this does not mean that it is an issue that should be dismissed and forgotten about, because citizens will continue to use water and pump it out of the aquifers. People need to find a way to conserve and reduce their water usage. That way when this issue comes up in the future people will not have made it worse.
Link: http:www.circleofblue.org/2017/water-climate/california-drought/sinking-land-crushes-california-
groundwater-storage-capacity/
increase in global temperature may make some mammals smaller
Fifty-six million years ago, carbon signatures showed the Earth's temperature increased by 5 to 8 degrees Celsius, over 10,000 years. This was hotter than the earth has ever been since its creation and the temperature remained elevated for 170,000 years before returning to normal. In the science world, rapid rise of temperature is known as a hypothermal event, and this would not be the last. Two million years later the Earth experienced another increase in temperature though, this hypothermal event was much smaller. Research shows that during times of increasing temperature mammals tend to get smaller. This could be because smaller bodies let off heat more easily while, large bodies retain heat. Another theory is that the animals were not getting enough food and water so, their body size shrunk. Scientists were able to compare sizes of animals with teeth samples they collected. Animals that lived during hypothermal events had smaller teeth indicating a smaller body size. As the Earth's temperatures continue to increase today, mammals may begin to get smaller to adapt to the weather.
This shows how climate change and global warming not only affects humans, it effects everything living on Earth. By releasing carbon into the air we are causing the Earth to heat and forcing plants and animals to adapt. It often takes time for animals to adapt and if the Earth warms too quickly species may be in danger. Animals species could potentially become endangered or go extinct, and if a species disappears from an ecosystem it could cause some serious problems. Humans need to reduce carbon emissions in order to stop the Earth from warming so quickly. Or else, we run the risk of endangering plants and animals all over the world.
Link: www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-global-warming-dwarfism-20170315-story.html
This shows how climate change and global warming not only affects humans, it effects everything living on Earth. By releasing carbon into the air we are causing the Earth to heat and forcing plants and animals to adapt. It often takes time for animals to adapt and if the Earth warms too quickly species may be in danger. Animals species could potentially become endangered or go extinct, and if a species disappears from an ecosystem it could cause some serious problems. Humans need to reduce carbon emissions in order to stop the Earth from warming so quickly. Or else, we run the risk of endangering plants and animals all over the world.
Link: www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-global-warming-dwarfism-20170315-story.html
BUmblebees in trouble
Visitors at the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens have reported that there are hundreds of bumblebees that are sick or dead. They were all found under a Tilia, or linden tree, which is a common source of food for bees late in the season. In the 1970s it was determined that the nectar from the tree contained a toxic sugar called mannose. They thought that this had poisoned and killed the bees. In the 1990s when scientists repeated that experiment they found that the bees survived. This lead to the conclusion that the bees in the earlier experiment most likely dies of starvation. Another theory that arose when 50,000 bees died in a target parking lot, is that the trees were sprayed with dinotefuran a pesticide that is accused of being harmful to bees. Scientists believe that the bumblebees end up relying too much on the Tilia trees as a food source. This may be because of the trees flower shape, odor, or color. By the time they realize that it is not a good food source it is already too late.
Bees are an important part of many ecosystems that happen around the world today. Without bees, none of the flowers or plants would get pollinated and that could lead to a very big problem. We rely on bees to help us create the food the people need in order to live and survive. They also help pollinate the flowers and plants that help filter carbon dioxide out of our air. By using pesticides that have been deemed unsafe doe bees to protect tress, that is putting the bees lives in danger. Bees are already becoming more scare as it is, and as humans we need to do everything in our power to keep them around.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/09/27/science/dead-bumblebees-trees.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion
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Bees are an important part of many ecosystems that happen around the world today. Without bees, none of the flowers or plants would get pollinated and that could lead to a very big problem. We rely on bees to help us create the food the people need in order to live and survive. They also help pollinate the flowers and plants that help filter carbon dioxide out of our air. By using pesticides that have been deemed unsafe doe bees to protect tress, that is putting the bees lives in danger. Bees are already becoming more scare as it is, and as humans we need to do everything in our power to keep them around.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/09/27/science/dead-bumblebees-trees.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion
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SUPERVOLCANO surprise
Under Yellowstone National Park lays a super volcano capable of expelling 1,000 cubic meters of rock and ash at once. That blanket of ash could cover most of the United States and possibly begin a volcanic winter on Earth. The last super eruption in Yellowstone occurred 631,000 years ago, and scientists suspect that a super eruption happens every 100,000 years. The forces that drive super eruptions can move much more rapidly than volcanologists previously predicted. The most recent Yellowstone eruption was caused when new magma moved into the system. To figure this out scientists analyzed crystals inside of fossilized ash. Each crystal could show changes in temperature and pressure and water content below the volcano. These crystals acted much like a set of tree rings. Because of the data they were able to collect from the crystals scientists are realizing that conditions for a super eruption could emerge within a human timeline. As research on volcanos advances, scientists are hoping they can potentially see future super eruptions in the making.
If a super eruption happened on Earth today, it would be devastating. Not only would there be thousands maybe millions of casualties, it would effect the earth for many years. The layer of ash on the ground would possibly make it hard to grow food. This would cause food shortages practically everywhere in the United States. If the Earth was plunged into a volcanic winter it would be hard to grow food anyways because there would be no sunlight. Breathing in the ash would also be very bad for humans and possibly cause many health complications. Many animals would would also die if there were to be a super eruption. A super eruption is most likely not going to happen in our lifetime, but if it does it would be very devastating.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/science/yellowstone-volcano-eruption.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=
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If a super eruption happened on Earth today, it would be devastating. Not only would there be thousands maybe millions of casualties, it would effect the earth for many years. The layer of ash on the ground would possibly make it hard to grow food. This would cause food shortages practically everywhere in the United States. If the Earth was plunged into a volcanic winter it would be hard to grow food anyways because there would be no sunlight. Breathing in the ash would also be very bad for humans and possibly cause many health complications. Many animals would would also die if there were to be a super eruption. A super eruption is most likely not going to happen in our lifetime, but if it does it would be very devastating.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/science/yellowstone-volcano-eruption.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=
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HERBIVORES may help save ecosystems
Herbivores may be the key to helping ecosystems survive as global warming increases. Rebecca Kordas and her colleagues created miniature marine ecosystems on hard plastic plates, that allowed the researchers to control the temperature. Some plates allowed herbivores called limpets in, and some keep them out. Limpets are similar to snails, but with cone shaped shells. As the tide moves in and out, plants and animals in the ocean must deal with huge variations in temperature. Because these seas creatures are already living in extreme conditions, a two degree change caused by global warming worming could make a big difference. As it is currently when heat waves come through the Pacific Northwest there are mass mortalities of intertidal species. However, researchers found that communities could fare well in heated conditions, but only if limpets were present. Losing species such as limpets can destabilize ecosystems, but protecting them can make ecosystems more resilient.
With the threat of global warming increasing, is is important that we begin to find ways to help ecosystems cope with the changes. Losing tidal communities to the heat would be devastating, considering the ecosystem that has been killed off and countless species may no longer exist. The ocean creatures are already feeling the effect of global warming, and species are becoming scarce because of commercial fishing businesses. If there is a creature that could help the ocean ecosystems fare better with the heat, that animal should be protected at all costs. Losing precious ecosystems due to global warming is hopefully something that will never happen.
Link: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171011180239.htm
With the threat of global warming increasing, is is important that we begin to find ways to help ecosystems cope with the changes. Losing tidal communities to the heat would be devastating, considering the ecosystem that has been killed off and countless species may no longer exist. The ocean creatures are already feeling the effect of global warming, and species are becoming scarce because of commercial fishing businesses. If there is a creature that could help the ocean ecosystems fare better with the heat, that animal should be protected at all costs. Losing precious ecosystems due to global warming is hopefully something that will never happen.
Link: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171011180239.htm
The ICe is Melting, But where is the Water Going?
In 2015, a group or researchers conducted an experiment to measure the melt water runoff on top of the ice. What they found is that not as much water runs off into the ocean as they previously thought. Some of the melt water is retained in the porous ice instead of flowing to the bottom of the ice sheet and out to sea. The water being retained in the ice sheet could render sea level projections to be too high. The ice sheet is roughly 650,000 square miles and two miles thick, and if melted would raise the ocean level by 24 feet. Greenland is currently losing about 260 billion tons of ice per year, and would contribute to 2 inches of sea level rise by the end of the century. The porous texture is caused by some of the sunlight reaching deeper into the ice and melting it there. These holes in the ice hold on to some of the melt water instead of letting it drain out to the ocean.
The ice sheets are actually preventing the sea level from rising more dramatically than it already is. Although, the sea level will still have risen by about two inches by the end of the century. The ice sheet in Greenland, if melted, is capable of contributing 24 inches to the ocean. This would dramatically change our way of life and many people would be impacted who lived near the ocean. The discovery that ice holds some of the melt water is welcome, but it does not fix the fact that the ice sheet is melting because the world is warming.
Link:
The ice sheets are actually preventing the sea level from rising more dramatically than it already is. Although, the sea level will still have risen by about two inches by the end of the century. The ice sheet in Greenland, if melted, is capable of contributing 24 inches to the ocean. This would dramatically change our way of life and many people would be impacted who lived near the ocean. The discovery that ice holds some of the melt water is welcome, but it does not fix the fact that the ice sheet is melting because the world is warming.
Link:
NAtional Monument land cut down
President Trump recently cut down the amount of land that is protected at Bears Ears National Monument. The monument was reduced by 85%, more than a million acres, and divided into two separate parks. The Grand Staircase-Escalante national monument nearby was reduced by 45%. Five Native American tribes and several other groups have filed lawsuits against the Trump Administration. The trump administration argues that previous presidents overstepped their authority under the antiquities act. Many Native American artifacts, including dwellings and ruins are scattered throughout the areas that are no longer protected. This in turn leaves these sites more open to threats such as development and looting.
Any area of land that has any sort of cultural value to a group of people should always be protected from the dangers of the modern world. Now that the land is not longer protected it leaves it open to threats such as mining and fracking. These industries usually do not care what they are destroying as long as they are making money. The areas that are no longer protected and hold cultural value to Native American groups could be destroyed. Precious artifacts and monuments could be destroyed because this land is no longer protected.
Link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/08/climate/bears-ears-monument-trump.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate&
region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront
Any area of land that has any sort of cultural value to a group of people should always be protected from the dangers of the modern world. Now that the land is not longer protected it leaves it open to threats such as mining and fracking. These industries usually do not care what they are destroying as long as they are making money. The areas that are no longer protected and hold cultural value to Native American groups could be destroyed. Precious artifacts and monuments could be destroyed because this land is no longer protected.
Link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/08/climate/bears-ears-monument-trump.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate&
region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront
more wildfires for california
Scientists are predicting that severe wildfires seasons that happened in California this fall may occur more frequently because of climate change. The variability between temperature and amounts of rain that occur yearly, can lead to greater gaps between drought and wet years. This can lead to a much greater wildfire risk. Last year was a year with a lot of rain, so many different grasses and vegetation grew. With a little amount of rain this year all those grasses dried out and became tinder for fires. It is too early for scientists to be sure is climate change is directly responsible for conditions in California the last couple years. However, there are studies that show human-induced global warming contributed to the drought in the beginning of 2012. Climate change is most likely going to case the rainy months to be December and January. This increases the fire season because the rain comes later in the year.
Climate change is a gradual process, but along the way it can have deadly affects. The wildfires that are raging in Southern California this winter, are putting thousands of people in danger and misplacing them from their homes. There is only so much firefighters can do to fight the fire, they can not compete with nature. Climate change seems harmless, but it has already proven to be deadly for some species of animals, and it could have detrimental affects on the human race.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/climate/california-fires-warming.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=
climate®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=sectionfront
Climate change is a gradual process, but along the way it can have deadly affects. The wildfires that are raging in Southern California this winter, are putting thousands of people in danger and misplacing them from their homes. There is only so much firefighters can do to fight the fire, they can not compete with nature. Climate change seems harmless, but it has already proven to be deadly for some species of animals, and it could have detrimental affects on the human race.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/climate/california-fires-warming.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=
climate®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=sectionfront
Insect armageddon
In Western Germany, a group of scientists was taking a sample of flying insects and what they found was astonishing. Compared to samples taken in the same place 20 years earlier there was a 75% drop in the amount of insects. The insect population have declined by more than 75% over the last three decades. Insects have never gotten much attention, they are estimated to make up more than half of all animal life, but it is thought that only about 10% of insects have even been named. With this comes the fact that entomology is not a well sought after career. Many entomologists are elderly and when they die, their knowledge dies with them.
Insects are so small and nobody really pays attention to them, so while their population numbers were decreasing quite rapidly nobody really knew. If insects are dying off won't animals that eat insects be affected too. If there are less insects for frogs to eat, frog species are likely going to start dying. Then animals that eat frogs will not have any food, so they will start dying. For insects being so small they have an important roll to play in the food chain. Scientists have yet to discover why so many insects are dying, but there is a chance that it could be related back to climate change.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/12/04/world/europe/krefeld-germany-insect-armageddon.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=
climate®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=sectionfront
Insects are so small and nobody really pays attention to them, so while their population numbers were decreasing quite rapidly nobody really knew. If insects are dying off won't animals that eat insects be affected too. If there are less insects for frogs to eat, frog species are likely going to start dying. Then animals that eat frogs will not have any food, so they will start dying. For insects being so small they have an important roll to play in the food chain. Scientists have yet to discover why so many insects are dying, but there is a chance that it could be related back to climate change.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/12/04/world/europe/krefeld-germany-insect-armageddon.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=
climate®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=sectionfront
the Keystone pipe is leaking
In mid November about 210,000 gallons of oil rushed out of the Keystone Pipeline in South Dakota. Luckily, no livestock or drinking water sources appeared to be threatened. This leak comes days before the final decisions on the construction of the Keystone XL are to be made. The question is not whether a pipeline is going to spill, but when and where it is going to spill. Many of Nebraska's land owners have not signed easements with TransCanada. This spill is just one of the several major pipeline spills that has happened over the years. At the time they had no idea how the spill would impact the environment. The spill was in a rural area so there is no one nearby who may be drinking impacted groundwater.
There have been many oil spills in the past that have affected to the environment in many ways. In 2010, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico spilled 4.9 million gallons of oil in the water. This caused extensive damage to many ecosystems and endangered many animals. Many animals died because of this oil spill, and as we continue to build new pipelines we increase the risk of having more disastrous oil spills. Is oil really worth endangering the environment and animals. If we are not careful the we could slowly destroy the environment one oil pipeline at a time.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/us/keystone-pipeline-leaks-south-dakota.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=
climate®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=51&pgtype=sectionfront
There have been many oil spills in the past that have affected to the environment in many ways. In 2010, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico spilled 4.9 million gallons of oil in the water. This caused extensive damage to many ecosystems and endangered many animals. Many animals died because of this oil spill, and as we continue to build new pipelines we increase the risk of having more disastrous oil spills. Is oil really worth endangering the environment and animals. If we are not careful the we could slowly destroy the environment one oil pipeline at a time.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/us/keystone-pipeline-leaks-south-dakota.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=
climate®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=51&pgtype=sectionfront
Ice is falling into the sea
The acceleration of glacial undercut in Antartica is causing scientists to fear that Antartica's ice sheet may be in the early stages of an unstoppable disintegration. The collapse of vulnerable parts of the ice sheet could dramatically affect sea levels. The sea could rise so fast due to the disintegration that people would have to flee form the coasts. If greenhouse gases continue at this level pasts of Antartica could break up rapidly, causing the ocean to rise six feet or more by the end of the century. For now the ice sheets seem stable, but scientists do not know the temperature the earth will have to reach before it becomes unstable again.
The idea of Antartica melting seemingly is something that should never happen. However, this is becoming a stark reality in the world today with global warming and the increase of greenhouse gases. The fact that the sea level could rise six feet in my life time is a scary thought. The effects of global warming can definitely be seen throughout the world today and it seems as if it is changing right in front of our eyes.
Link; www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/18/climate/antarctica-ice-melt-climate-change.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate®ion
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The idea of Antartica melting seemingly is something that should never happen. However, this is becoming a stark reality in the world today with global warming and the increase of greenhouse gases. The fact that the sea level could rise six feet in my life time is a scary thought. The effects of global warming can definitely be seen throughout the world today and it seems as if it is changing right in front of our eyes.
Link; www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/18/climate/antarctica-ice-melt-climate-change.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate®ion
=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront
beavers expanding their territory
Beavers are taking advantage of warming temperatures to expand their range. The dams that the beavers are building in rivers and streams in the tundra that can create new water channels and thaw permanatly frozen ground or permafrost. This can cause the soil and other plants to wash away. When permafrost thaws it releases carbon dioxide and methane which can contribute to global warming. Worldwide, permafrost is estimated to contain twice as much carbon as is currently in the atmosphere. Beavers have modified the environment so much that on satellite images they were able to spot where beavers have spread to. Ordinarily beavers can not live north of the tree line, but global warming has caused this to change to more of a brush area. As it gets warmer plants and animals spread towards polar regions.
Humans are really the ones that are causing global warming to happen, beavers are just finding habitats that they can thrive in. Global warming is affecting animals more than it is affecting humans. Humans are able to adapt quickly to their environments, where as animals have often spent a very long time adapting to the environment they live in. Suddenly taking away that environment leaves the animals very vulnerable, but it can also introduce new animals to the environment. This is where the beaver comes in. It is just spreading its territory based on the animals instincts is has. It does not know it is invading territories where it is not supposed to be.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/climate/arctic-beavers-alaska.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=
climate®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=sectionfront
Humans are really the ones that are causing global warming to happen, beavers are just finding habitats that they can thrive in. Global warming is affecting animals more than it is affecting humans. Humans are able to adapt quickly to their environments, where as animals have often spent a very long time adapting to the environment they live in. Suddenly taking away that environment leaves the animals very vulnerable, but it can also introduce new animals to the environment. This is where the beaver comes in. It is just spreading its territory based on the animals instincts is has. It does not know it is invading territories where it is not supposed to be.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/climate/arctic-beavers-alaska.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=
climate®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=sectionfront
Transportantion is the biggest source of emissions in the u.s
For the first time since the 1970's the carbon dioxide emitted from transportation vehicles has become the top source of greenhouse emissions. This change comes as a result of electricity generation relying less on coal and more on renewable resources and natural gas. A typical gasoline powered car emits 20 pounds of carbon dioxide for each gallon of gas burned, hybrid and electric vehicles cut back on these emissions. The popularity of electric cars are increasing and with advancement in technology they are now able to travel longer distances.
As energy companies become for environmentally friendly, I believe our modes of transportation should do the same. Many people still rely on gas powered vehicles, because they believe that electric cars are inferior. However, with increases in technology many cars are able to go up to 200 miles on one charge. Plus they are environmentally friendly and they cost less to charge than gasoline that fills up cars. People should become more accepting of environmentally friendly option otherwise the earth is just going to become worse and worse.
Link: www.climatecentral.org/gallery/graphics/transportation-is-the-biggest-source-of-us-emissions
As energy companies become for environmentally friendly, I believe our modes of transportation should do the same. Many people still rely on gas powered vehicles, because they believe that electric cars are inferior. However, with increases in technology many cars are able to go up to 200 miles on one charge. Plus they are environmentally friendly and they cost less to charge than gasoline that fills up cars. People should become more accepting of environmentally friendly option otherwise the earth is just going to become worse and worse.
Link: www.climatecentral.org/gallery/graphics/transportation-is-the-biggest-source-of-us-emissions
Artic temperatures migrating south
The artic region is warming faster than any region on Earth and this warming may be weakening the jet stream, that usually keeps the cold air contained around the pole. However, this association is a weak one as there are many other features that could be involved. Ocean temperatures in the tropics, soil moisture, and even snow cover can cause changes in the jet stream. There are suspicions that the warming artic could have impacts on the lower latitudes. Despite the overall warming trend, winters in North America and Europe have trended cooler over the past quarter century. Usually the jet stream blows straight from west to east, when the jet stream weakens it is more likely to weave through the Northern Hemisphere. Recently the cold air moving east collided with warmer air from the Atlantic ocean, this created what is now called a "bomb cyclone". For some reason the jet stream is becoming weaker and staying weaker for longer around of times, which is causing Artic temperatures to drop down into the Northern Hemisphere.
There are many factors that could be causing the change in the jet stream, but one of the main suspicions is that global warming is causing the artic temperatures to rise. Humans are causing massive changes to the environment, and it may not be possible to reverse the effects before its too late. It may already be too late to reverse the effects of global warming as the Earth is already on a path to increasing temperatures. Many natural disasters have also occurred in the past months, that may have been fueled by changing climates. Drastic changes need to happen in order to try and save and protect the world that we live in.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/climate/cold-climate-change.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront
There are many factors that could be causing the change in the jet stream, but one of the main suspicions is that global warming is causing the artic temperatures to rise. Humans are causing massive changes to the environment, and it may not be possible to reverse the effects before its too late. It may already be too late to reverse the effects of global warming as the Earth is already on a path to increasing temperatures. Many natural disasters have also occurred in the past months, that may have been fueled by changing climates. Drastic changes need to happen in order to try and save and protect the world that we live in.
Link: www.nytimes.com/2018/01/03/climate/cold-climate-change.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront