Melting Icebergs, Global Warming, and Me

The research behind global warming, as well as thoughts from skeptics, offer a means for critical thinking and opportunities to engage students, including myself, to get involved in changing the world. The pollution which has caused significant damage to air, land, and sea is a tremendous burden all of us need to act upon in one way or another.

Having had the opportunity to spend time at Glacier National Park two years ago, the history behind the park, the glacier, and its future was unbelievable. Viewing the park by land was magnificent in itself; however, it was the view from a helicopter that captivated me. Breathtaking! I was fortunate to be in the company of a pilot who was both passionate and well versed on the glacier’s environment, past, present, and future. Although not a scientist, he convinced me the glacier had succumbed to global warming. The pictures of a receding glacier, spoke volumes.

Whether you are a skeptic or a believer of global warming, signs of a changing climate abound. Earth’s temperature continues to climb, glaciers are melting and erratic patterns of weather continue to wreak havoc across the world. While human population rates grow, carbon-capturing forests are being destroyed allowing more emissions into the air we breathe. A greater concentration of carbon dioxide creates higher temperatures.

Researchers, specifically climatologists have shared abundant photos of our shrinking icebergs and glaciers due to higher temperatures caused by global warming. The Arctic area is melting opening up passages for travel. New land has emerged allowing humans to venture into areas, stake their claim, and search for oil. A once frozen wilderness has now become part of the world’s economy (National Geographic, 2008).

As the Earth becomes warmer and warmer, glaciers and polar ice bergs continue to melt. What does happen when ice bergs melt? The sea level begins to rise. Rising sea levels are carving away and populations (humans and animals) living along the coasts are often finding the need to relocate further inland. What once was oceanfront property no longer exists.

I believe it is the plant and animal populations which have felt the warming of the globe the longest. Camille Parmesan, a biologist from the University of Texas “found more than 800 studies documenting changes in species or ecosystems attributed in part to climate change. (Science Illustrated, 2010). Animals are shifting their habitats, finding it difficult to adapt to their new environments. The migration leads to greater competition for food, shelter and water where only the fittest will survive.

Melting Icebergs:

Melting Icebergs opened doors for inquiry in all content areas. Global warming and its effect on population growth, plant and animal life, economy, etc. could be an excellent lead into a year-long project. The research alone would be compelling and grant students many avenues to pursue via interest levels.

References:

Bourne, J. K. (2008, June). Changing Climate. National Geographic Magazine, Special Report. .
Biodiversity. (2010, January/February). Who Will Survive? Science Illustrated, 56-63.