The Melting of the Polar Ice Caps - Research Paper Example

The melting of the polar ice caps Introduction A polar ice cap, according to researchers, refers to a high latitude region of a natural satellite or planet that is covered up in frost. There are no necessities with regards to composition or size of a body of ice for it to be termed as a polar ice cap, nor any physical condition for it to be over land; just that it ought to be a body of frozen phase matter in the polar expanse. This makes the phrase 'polar ice cap' to come out rather as a misnomer, as the phrase 'ice cap' itself is used with a lot of scrutiny as such bodies have to be found above land and cover a surface area of under 50000 km². Greater bodies are given the name ice sheets (Buckles 2). This paper will discuss the melting of polar ice caps. It will come up with why this melting should be a concern to humans, the reason behind the melting away, and whether the melting is caused by greenhouse gases trapped in the ozone. Finally, it will state the scientific proofs that are there about the melting away, and some of the counter claims. The Earth's polar ice caps have had dramatic changes in the past 12,000 years. Regular variations of the ice caps occur because of the varied solar energy absorption as the earth revolves around the sun. In addition to geologic time change, the ice caps may raise or minimize because of climate disparity (Buckles 4). Reason why the melting of the ice caps should be a concern The melting of the ice caps in the north and south poles seem to be taken for granted by human beings (Jones 4). One of the foremost concerns should be the melting away of icebergs. Icebergs refer to massive floating amounts of ice. For icebergs to float, they displace a volume of water that has a mass equivalent to that of its own (Friedman 23). Icebergs could contribute to a small portion in the rising ocean level. This is because they are masses of frozen glaciers that break away from landmasses and drop into the seas. The increasing temperature may lead to a formation of more icebergs through deteriorating the glaciers, making more cracks, and creating the possibility of ice to break. The moment the ice gets into the ocean, ocean levels go up a little (Friedman 24). At the same time, as all of these issues are occurring, none of them seem to exist in isolation. They stand all interconnected and can cause a countering consequence to one another (Rockwell 17). The climatic alterations that are going on can have reflective outcomes on the Earth’s ecosystems, animal species, plant, and human health. Scientists dread that nonstop melting of sea ice may possibly weaken the North Atlantic Current, the northwards prolongation of the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream transfers 120 times more water than every other river on the planet. A diversion of the stream may possibly lead to unusually freezing winters. This might be experienced most in the North Atlantic regions, mainly in the northern part of Europe (Rockwell 18). However, human influenced global warming is one that people should give close awareness to because they can manage it. If people can cut carbon-dioxide emissions, it may perhaps have a lasting effect on the natural and climatic changes that might have been caused by human activity. Scientists argue that the volume of carbon dioxide put out into the atmosphere in the next two decades will double or triple. The number of vehicles in operation will double by the year 2030. Melting away of the ice caps and the green house gases The greenhouse effect refers to the outcome that greenhouse gases cause to the atmosphere, and also the earth (Kaplan 1). A small amount of sunlight is taken in by the earth. The sunbeam that is not taken in is echoed back to the atmosphere, at a wavelength larger than the initial sunbeams. These larger wavelengths of sunlight are also taken in by any greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, before they go back to space. Whereas the lower radiant power of the sun heats up the atmosphere, the greenhouse gases cause the extra radiant energy that would have been taken back to space, back to the earth, thus raising the earth’s temperature (Kaplan 2). The key greenhouse gases that are responsible for cycle include: carbon dioxide produced through burning fossil fuels like gas, oil, petrol, kerosene among others; water vapor- atmospheres greater in wetness take in more thermal energy, leading to a warmer environment, and as the temperature of the environment goes up, more water is taken in by air in a constant cycle. The third gas is methane. Methane is formed by using mined coal, natural gas, and raising livestock. It is formed naturally in rice crops and marshlands. The fourth green house gas is the troposphere ozone. It stands as a link between oxygen and radiations. Small amounts descend from the stratosphere to the earth and are also evident in exhaust emissions from cars, burning vegetation, and pollution from industrial units (Willis 6). Troposphere Ozone also mixes with methane in the air to create a green house gas. Nitrous Oxide is also a green house gas formed by processes and reactions in water, soil, and reactions which happen in fertilizer carrying nitrogen. It is also produced by some nylon manufacturers, power plants, and nitric acid manufacture. Chlorofluorocarbons are the last of green house gases. They are entirely made by man and put to use in refrigerants, as cleaning solvents and aerosol propellants (Willis 6). Global warming, owing to the greenhouse effect, is considered by many scientists of global warming to directly cause the warming of the earth, thus making polar ice caps melt. This also changes the temperature of the earth, causing it become warmer. Researchers look to the earth’s Polar Regions as premature pointers of the earth’s climate alterations, and figures seem to show proof of rising temperatures on earth (Stevens 14). Scientific evidence that are there and what some of the counter claims People might have heard of the arguments about global warming. It seems that, from the past century, the earth's temperature has gone up a degree Celsius of almost a half. This might not be alarming, but even half a degree can have a negative outcome on the earth’s well being (Moore 22). Global warming refers to an occurrence in which the earth's standard temperature raises. There are certain scientific ways that the earth's temperature is calculated. The atmospheric temperature stands as what most individuals refer to as they talk about global warming. There is also tertiary temperature, which refers to the temperature of the earth. The earth has had episodes of global warming in history (Moore 23). In plain terms, an increase in temperature would cause any frozen water to start melting, which is how the polar ice caps would be influenced. However, because of the consequence of severe weather also due to global warming, it is not clear if global warming might cause an entire melting of the ice caps (Moore 23). For instance, global warming causes more severe temperature fluctuations, so, while in the previous year the ice caps minimizes to low records, the following year the numbers might enlarge again (Moore 24). Also, it has been evident that, at the time the North Pole ice cap melts, the South Pole ice cap enlarges. Scientists are still learning about global warming outcomes, and have not yet come to an agreement concerning what will take place in the future. The only issue for sure is that the ice caps melt much faster than in earlier periods due to severe weather and temperature changes. Varying wind patterns also make the ice caps liquefy. As they liquefy the moving water melts the remaining ice, acting as a catalyst of the process. Conclusion Scientists are in search of trends and patterns of warming, not just yearly changes, but also those in the long run. In general, the courses of the patterns do suggest frequent warming for the Arctic ice cap expanse. There are other areas such as Greenland which look to have declining temperatures. Although it is still not easy to link events and causes of global warming, severe drop of greenhouse gases can assist to stop the trend from speeding up. If the patterns echo properly, the modifications in precipitation patterns and temperature can put pressure and increase the intensity, frequency, and period of weather events. These events are the likes of heat waves, droughts, tornadoes and floods (Moore 25). Severe reduction of greenhouse gases in the environment today can assist to ease the rising temperature drift, and liquefying of the Arctic polar ice caps. This would, on the other hand, slow the continuation of the rise in the earth’s temperature. The global warming of polar ice caps concerns all individuals. Whether or not they believe in the global warming speculation, individually assisting to stop global warming will save their funds, and every small step. It will create a change for the better. Polar ice caps melting and global warming are subjects in which everybody has opinions regarding to, but the outcomes concern everyone. Works Cited Buckles, Tobias. Arctic Rising. New York: Tor Books, 2012. Print. Friedman, Katherine. What If the Polar Ice Caps Mel-High Interest Books: What If? Chicago: Children's Press, 2012. Print. Jones, Christopher. Big Ice. League City: Publish America Press, 2003. Print. Kaplan, Jay. A Chilling Warmth: A Tale of Global Warming. New York: iUniverse Publishers, 2002. Print. Moore, Thomas. Climate of Fear: Why We Shouldn't Worry about Global Warming. Washington: Cato Institute Publishers, 1998. Print. Rockwell, Anne. Why Are the Ice Caps Melting? The Dangers of Global Warming. Wilton: Collins Press, 2006. Print. Steven, Kazlowski. The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World. Washington: Mountaineers Books Publishers, 2008 Print. Willis, Henry. Earth's Future Climate. Tamarac: Llumina Press, 2002. Print. Read More