Winter break is about to end, and we are about to get another snow storm. It has been a winter characterized by periods of extreme cold and lots of snow. Lots. My driveway plowing bill documents that for me in a quantitative manner.
All of this snow has also allowed a friend to play that perennial favorite game, "Gotcha!" with me. Summarizing our discussion, it went something like this: Al Gore and An Inconvenient Truth, heh? Where's the global warming? Just a couple of years ago you showed me an article from the New York Times that discussed the lack of old time winters - they talked about warmer weather and decreasing amounts of snow. Look at our weather these past two months! What do you have to say about that? I mean, as a biology teacher? Do you still believe in global warming? (You can insert the "gotch" after any one of those sentences).
Taking a deep breath, I assured my friend that, unfortunately, I do continue to have major concerns about global warming, or as I prefer to say climate change. Weather patterns are extremely complex system and need to be observed at a variety of geographic and geologic locations over long periods of time to observe the potential changes scientists are discussing. Vermont's seasonal snowfall may change from year to year, but it's the long term (i.e., 50-100 year) change in regional climate that is of greatest concern to scientists. As well as the red flag alerts that are appearing in critically sensitive areas, like the poles.
Behold the picture at the heading of this post. A quick glance at the image, may suggest that some polar explorers are keeping warm around a campfire, but that is not what's happening. I took this screen shot from a news video about climate change at the poles. The image is far more ominous than it initially appears.
The frozen tundra just south of the circumpolar region is melting at an alarming rate. Aside from the obvious risks to migratory animals (ie caribou) that are having a harder time traveling in the watery mosquito infested muck, this melting land is also releasing the dead organic mulch-like material to bacterial decomposers. This is a newly released organic banquet for these critters. They're chowing down. And their excreting carbon based gases into our atmosphere at an accelerating rate.
In the picture at the top, a scientist lit a torch above the melting tundra and ignited the natural gas (methane) being released by the newly thawed land. As more of this carbon based gas is released into the atmosphere, the atmosphere will - hypothetically - retain more heat. This is turn will cause more permafrost to melt, releasing more carbon based gas, causing greater warming, causing more melting, etc. etc. etc. This is called a positive feedback loop. An increase in variable "A" leads to an increase in variable "B", which in turn leads to a further increase in variable "A" - and on and on it goes.
A couple of years ago, I attended a presentation at Dartmouth given by Aqaluk Lynge, the President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC). The ICC represants the people who have lived around the north pole for centuries, eking out a survival - in fact thriving - without a designated country, or government. Lynge remarked that climate change is only being debated by the western countries. "My people" he said "have observed the effects of climate change, caused by your western nations, for decades". Migratory paths are altering. Animals hunted for survival are disappearing. Insects are increasing. Glaciers are cleaving. A way of life that has existed for thousands of years is disappearing in our lifetimes.
Koyaanisqatsi. The hopi word that refers to the disintegration of a life in turmoil, also has another clarion call in its definition: "a state of life that calls for another way of living". Indeed. It's time to return to lives that are more in tune with nature; lives in balance.
17 comments:
"Da Cleava" who has been behind on posts is about to be the first to post a comment. Can Da Cleava get a round of aplause? anywho, talk about a depressing post Mr. E. Though it fits in the "having to return to school" atmosphere.(Sigh) "Where is global warming?" I asked my self that same question to day in the car. it was snowing heavily, and we were late.(no shockers there) I mean it wasn't anywhere I really wanted to go so it was all peaches and cream for me.
I love snowing. (yes I said snowing. I don't like when snow sits around and gets slushy and crusty so I can't say I love snow.) It always pretty, and it just seems to make everything . . . quiet. It makes me glad that it still snows. but sad that even if we went cold turkey it would still keep getting warmer. See ya 2 Mar O
Da Cleava
So after reading this post I feel that I have to agree with "Da Cleava" that it is sad to hear and talk about global warming. I know I live in Vermont and that means that I should like snow and skiing and so on. But truthfully, not my favorite season, it is ok in the begining, but once it's February, no more thank you. The snow storm last night was not the most joyus thing to come back to after vacation. Anyways, thought I may not like snow, I dont think global warming is a good thing what-so-ever. (honestly it feels like it has taken a reverse effect on vermont anyways) It would be nice to see a turn around with how most people are treating the whole ice caps melting bit.
Anya P.
I have to say that I enjoy snow just as long as it doesn’t interfere with the beginning of baseball.
I have just a few questions. Everyone looks at global warming in a purely negative way. I know it causes climate change and could possibly lead to extinction of numerous species, but does it have any benefits? Don’t the polar ice caps hold a large amount of fresh water? What might happen when that is released into the biosphere? Are there any positives that might result from global warming?
Also, what are the past weather patterns of the Earth? I think we’re overdue for an ice age (or something like that) and I had heard the Earth goes through a warming period before going into an ice age (someone please correct me if I’m wrong). I’m not really sure about this and I can’t remember where I read it so any clarification on the subject would be welcome.
I do not know if global warming will become as big of a problem as the news makes it out to be. I also don’t know that many specific details about what will happen besides the general “the polar ice caps will melt, climates will change, ect.” that is always reported. I would like to know more about the subject before I go passing judgment on whether “global warming” will continue on its “path of destruction” 100 years in the future. Yes, the globe is warming, but does that mean it is irreversible or the biggest threat to the earth? I don’t know. I don’t know enough about it to make an informed decision just yet.
-Mike Diamond
I don't know all that much about it either but from what I have heard I think that I would have to agree with Da Cleava and Anya that global warming is a very sad thought. I enjoy watching it snow as well, but as you said in the blog, climate change is effecting many other things as well, such as migratory paths changing, glaciers cleaving, and animals struggling to survive.
Even though people here in Vermont aren't really seeing the effects of climate change very much, there are definately people in other areas that see the difference and thier lives are being effected by it. An example from the blog is the group of people who live right around the north pole. Within time more and more people will most likely see more dramatic changes in thier environment.
It is even worse to think that the wheel is already set in motion and things will continue to get worse and worse as time goes on. Hopefully something can be done to stop this from continuing because it doesn't seem like the results will be that great. However, I do hope that it is just a cyle of nature, like Mike said, and that the climate change is not irreversible.
-Amanda O.
I watch the news every now and then, but I really don't keep up with what's going on with the world that well. Of course I know a little bit about climate change, but not nearly enough to really make any judgements about it. I've heard that for an ice age to happen, the "poles" essentially shift and move 90 degrees from where they are. That way the current poles warm and the rest of the world freezes. I'd like to know if this is one way ice ages come to be or not.
As for the picture, when I first saw it, I thought oil had spilled into the water and the men had lit it on fire. The fact that warming causes melting which causes more warming seems like an irreversable process that will destroy the Earth. Is there any way to stop climate change and will my genereation see any "significant" effects?
Like Sam and Mike said, it's hard to have an opinion until you know all the facts. I thought I was pretty well-informed on the subject of global warming, but when I tried to pull some details out of my head to write in this response, I was surprised by how little I could think of. I know it's impossible to know exactly what effects the current trends in climate change will have on the earth, if they're allowed to continue unchecked, but I want to hear some scientists' predictions. How much of a rise in sea level are we talking about? What sorts of natural disasters? Just how hot will it get?
That said, I think there can be no doubt that something needs to be done. The earth's climate does go through natural cycles, but what we are experiencing now is far beyond natural. Some species are already on the edge of extinction as a result of losing their habitat (every time I see that picture of a polar bear sitting on a tiny chunk of ice in the middle of an ocean it makes me sad).
Is it possible that, without really knowing it, we humans are one of those endangered species?
I am quite worried about global warming. It is not only that I would miss the snow and skiing. Last summer I watched a great documentary about animal life in a German cinema (I hope, the word cinema isn’t British English). It said that not so long from now, polar bears would have no place to live anymore because the ice would be gone or too thin. It is pretty sad seeing great animals like these disappear because of us.
If the polar ice caps melted, the biggest fresh water reservoir would be gone. That might be a major problem. It would also cause terrible floods. The Netherlands would be gone, at least vast parts of it.
I am amazed that there is enough gas coming out of the ground to burn it. The fact that more gas leads to more warming which again leads to more gas is quite worrisome, too. But what measures can be taken that could stop all this? Only riding the bike instead of taking the car doesn’t seem to be enough. I should definitely learn more about this topic.
After reading this post and watching the you tube video in class today (and realizing i still have to do pre-calc homework), has made my day a bit sadder. Global warming is quite a scary and puzzling thing. It is a horrible thought to think that even as soon as our life time our planet will suffer drastically from this, and our way of life will be completely different.
It's odd to think of a world with very little to no snow and all of the costal land under water. I think that the end result of global warming is so horrible, that people try to deny its existence. I know that when I first learned about it, it alarmed me enough that I tried to tell myself that it's just a cycle of nature. Though I know that it is very unlikely to be the case. What can be done to stop global warming? And if people start doing things to prevent it, will it be enough???
Katie B
Speaking of the Hopi way, I visited the Hopi reservation this past summer for about 10 days which piqued my interest to further look into their culture for a research paper I wrote this past semester regarding cultural identities. From these experiences it became clear that the traditional “Hopi way” involves a blending of land, religion, and life as one. As such, it seemed to revolve around being a humble individual and keeping everyone’s welfare in mind. This way of thinking about life certainly represents a strong appreciation for the natural world. The different traditional crafts and farming techniques also tie many daily activities directly to the land. It is crushing to see the struggles native populations are experiencing today as modernity and traditional ways of living collide. The loss of a culture’s traditions is saddening yet at the same time is sometimes a necessary for many of the modern-day comforts we take for granted. After all if individuals feel the need to leave the reservation to find work to make money to allow them modern comforts who could blame them? It will be interesting to stay tuned to how the years play out for the Hopi and how well they are able to preserve their traditions/ cultural identity. To date they have been one of the most successful Native American groups to do so.
On a completely separate note the idea of climate change brought to mind the question of how our weather systems will change in the face of raising temperatures. I remember hearing at one point that the frequency and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes will increase as the temps increase. After looking into this a bit before posting, it has become clear that this is not a commonly accepted thought as many variables are at play. What has been agreed upon however is that as temperatures warm there will be “some increase in tropical cyclone peak wind-speed and rainfall.” Additionally, “Model studies and theory project a 3-5% increase in wind-speed per degree Celsius increase of tropical sea surface temperatures (http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/G3.html , 2/24/09).” So it seems that an increase in intensity is likely, while an increase in frequency may or may not occur.
That's it for now. Cheers!
Global climate change is becoming more and more prominent in our everyday lives. Even though it maybe snow a lot now, as Mr. E said, the average temperature is raising and even more horrifying is that the temperature in the oceans is raising which could start a chain reaction of many species going extinct. In the past century the air temperature has increased 0.6 degrees Celsius, which as in turn raised the temperature in shallow water, which has lead to the extinction of almost a quarter of the world’s coral reefs. (http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/climate/cli_effects.html&edu=high)
It is often easy for people to not think twice about what could happen because it seems impossible. I find myself thinking little things won't make a difference, but as time has shown it's the little things that have added up negatively. Also as the man from “The Most Terrifying Video You’ll Ever See Said” it is going to better alive and sorting out the wrinkles than in a Terminator movie.
First, I have a recommendation for my fellow classmates: trying to discuss climate change with me will send me off ranting for a good ten minutes. Because I'm writing this, I'll probably go back and delete the ranting, but. . . I just wouldn't recommend starting that conversation with me.
Hmmm. . .I have a few things to say, but I don't really know where to start. Last semester I wrote my 20th Cent. History research paper about the effect of the human race on the marine environment over the course of the 20th century, and there's more than one word you could use to describe that topic. One is depressing, another is frightening and the last. . .infuriating. Ocean levels all over the world have increased by nearly seven inches in the past century, and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are higher than they've been in the past 20 million years. At the beginning of this century, there were only 8,000 cars on the road (in the U.S.), and there are now more than 200 million registered to U.S. drivers. Even more frightening - in 2006, the U.N. issued a report stating that the world's livestock are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation industry.
As if that isn't frightening enough (after all, we can't stop raising livestock - that's food for all of our meat eaters), our oceans are incredibly sensitive to temperature changes. The current climate we enjoy is largely attributable to a complex system of ocean currents that move warm and cold water (along with nutrients) around the planet. Changes in temperature have the potential to reverse or stall these currents, which would be catastrophic for marine life as we know it. Annual plankton blooms currently rely on nutrient upwelling every year. Upwelling occurs when nutrient-rich colder water is drawn to the surface, whether by wind or by the gyre that begins when surface water cools and sinks. If the plankton don't receive the nutrients that they need, the bloom won't be nearly large enough - plankton supply massive amounts of oxygen every year. Not to mention that those plankton blooms are responsible for keeping the whale population alive.
Sorry my thoughts are a little disjointed tonight, I'm just trying not to think about one aspect of climate change for too long - it tends to make me a little panicky.
Ashleen mentioned the decline of coral reefs, and I just wanted to add a little to that. Corals die (in most cases) because of a loss of an algae called zooxanthellae. These little algae guys are responsible for the color of the corals, and they also provide 90% of the polyps' food. When corals are stressed (by temperature change, storms, pollution, etc.), they release these little algae guys, and die shortly after. When the reefs die, the thousands of species that rely on them go too. Coral reefs only make up a fifth of a percent of the ocean floor, but they are home to 25% of the world's marine species, they support 25% of the world's fishing industry and they generate $375 billion in tourism revenue every year.
My thoughts are kind of jumping all over the place, but I think my point is that we need to do something. I encountered a lot of skeptical authors during my research, but none of them convinced me that we should wait and see just 'cause we might be wrong about climate change. In my mind, if there's any chance that we're responsible for the destruction of biodiversity, some of which I have seen myself, we have an obligation to do something. And it's imperative that we do something SOON.
Jennie M.
I like to think that the world will take care of itself, no matter what we do the earth will be effected. I am not saying I think global climate change is not real or true, but I think things will work out. Us as humans can always try to make a difference but as our populations grows, can we? I don't know. I think global climate change is just a theory that has relavance, but I don't think the end of the human race is near its end either.
Andy H.
Global Warming and cooling is a cycle that has been going on for a very lonbg time. In "Your Inner Fish" Shubin talks I think about how the climate near the north pole was tropical at one point (or had tropical fossils)and we know that there have been ice ages before. However, we are taking a process that would normally take hundreds or thousands of years (rough guess) and speeding it up to a century or two. I feel that we humans will eventually be able to at least slow down the rate at which we are hurting the earth, but I'm sure that tons of species will go extinct within the next few decades (of course lots of them will be ones most of us don't pay attention to at all). I'm sure humans will be fine, even if the world spirals into an ice age or huge heat waves with constant hurricanes humans will adapt and live on though the same can't be said for a lot of the other unique species of the planet. The biosphere would even out after a few thousand or million years and new creatures would evolve and earth would just keep spinning (barring any completely destructive influence from humans).
Then the sun will implode and the earth will spiral into space, a solid chunk of ice.
Daniel G.
I don't know that much about global warming/climate change, but I do know that it is causing major turmoil. I remember last year I went to a Lion's Club meeting and the speaker was a member of the club, but they also worked for CREEL. They began to talk about how the ice was melting at an alarming rate, and how on their last trip it was warmer than usual.
I find this scary, because many of the animals, (polar bears), are being forced out of their normal habitats, and they are dying. It also means that the ocean waters are rising and many ocean side cities will drown in the years to come.
I guess I would say that I do believe in climate change, and I worry that the children I will have, will not be able to survive in the changing world.
~Stacy~
Lately a largly talked about topic on the radio, television, newspapers, ect. is that of global warming and how "aweful" it's going to make our world. So far (as you said Mr. E), I'm not seeing it. The winter has felt as cold if not colder than any as well as having as much snow as we always do. To some extent, I feel like global warming is not going to become as huge a problem as the news and tv is making it seem to be. However, I also don't know as a whole lot about global warming! Of course I know the basics.. We're worried all of the ice caps are melting, the climate is going to change drasticly, etc..but I would like to know more.
Another thing, is that I think if a lot of people have the outlook that I am putting forward than it could create an even bigger problem. I think the reason I'm not seeing this huge overwhelming issue is probably mainly because I'm uneducaed about the topic. Maybe if everybody thinks that way that I am right now, we might wait around for something obvious to actually happen and then it may be too late at that point. I don't know. It's a very confusing topic!
-Heidi
While we have indeed had a lot of snow this winter, other parts of Vermont do not seem to have received as much. I traveled up to Enosburg this past friday and was imagining that they would have more snow, but my assumption was incorrect. They had less(that bothered me).
As other people have discussed global climate control could turn out to be a very catastrophic issue if we don't take the time to learn more about it. I think it would be good if we spent more time learning about global climate control and other science related issues that will affect our future.
Caitlin R.
Global warming. My dad attended a seminar in Spain about global warming. It was a while ago. But I think I remember him telling me that it will get really cold and then the next not so much. But it keeps doing this in an increasing tangent. That's what I remember, I was only thirteen at that point. To me, global warming is a problem and there are so many things that we as people can do about it. Just thinking about the trees migrating north and species either dying out or migrating to different places. What's going to happen to them in 50 years? What if there's no place to run? I think they might become extinct. But the invention of the automobile and planes has defended our nation. Has fought in wars. Has brought us to work everyday. To imagine that an invention that affected so many things in good ways and then on the long run, they're terrible for the enviroment. Were we being selfish, by not considering over time, what the gasses coming out from the car could do to the atmosphere. I don't know, it just runs through my head over and over again. There's so many questions.
-Elsa. C.
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