Scientists believe that the polar ice caps control the amount of CO₂ emitted and its impact on the environment. The “Greenhouse effect” has been an ongoing problem as the ice caps continually shrink each year. The shrinkage has a major impact on wildlife, sea life, human life, and the ozone. Animals, such as polar bears, are losing their hunting grounds and open ranges at an overwhelming rate. As the polar ice caps melt, the level of the oceans increases. Scientists believe “that if Greenland’s ice caps melt, the level would rise 23 feet and cause coastal areas in Florida and most of Bangladesh to become flooded” (Kluger, 2006, p. 3). As ocean temperatures increase, so does the rate of hurricanes and the level of their destruction.
How does this impact all of life on the planet? Well, the ice caps work as a reflective barrier from UV heat as it enters the Earth’s atmosphere. As the ice caps decrease, this reflective surface is removed and the ocean waters absorb the heat. The absorption of heat by the ocean changes the ocean currents and benefits provided by the currents. The increase in the number of years with an El Niño weather pattern is causing droughts, which can also lead to an increase in wildfires.
So how does all of this pan out? Well according to some scientists, we are the cause of the greenhouse effect and the melting of the polar ice caps; but in reality there are many scientists that disagree with the greenhouse effect. Professor Ian Clark believes that the increase in CO₂ levels is cause by and increase in solar activity such as a massive eruption (Wheldon, 2007, p. 1). Scientists have studied ice core samples from Antarctica, and they prove that the process of warming and cooling has been occurring for centuries. Professor Paul Reiter challenged the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change after his name was added to the list of scientists that agreed with its findings, and he challenged the report with a lawsuit until his name was removed because he disagreed.
So how accurate can these findings really be? Well, I do agree with scientists that we are not helping the situation. I also disagree that we are alone responsible for the greenhouse effect. I think that we need to find a way to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions and our carbon footprint. The Earth is an ever changing planet and she cycles from cooler periods to hotter periods, and it is my belief that the Earth will again change her cycle and cool. We may not see it, but in the future I believe that this will occur.
Kluger, J. (2006, March 26). Earth at the Tipping Point: Global Warming Heats Up. Time, 1-8.
Wheldon, J. (2007, March 5). Greenhouse effect is a myth, say scientists. Daily Mail, p. 1.
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