By: Ken Banh
Ice is a form of water that is frozen to extremely low temperatures and is present in nature. This ice just also happens to make up the landmass of both the North and South Poles and now they are melting at a rapid rate due to climate change.
As of 2019, Earth’s ice caps and sheets have hit an all-time low. Along with numerous other effects such as rising sea levels and habitat loss for animals, these effects have gained the attention of many people but not everyone. Especially the uninformed and climate deniers.
What is to blame for Earth’s ice reaching such a critical state? The blame falls on greenhouse gases and more specifically carbon emissions.
According to “Why are glaciers and sea ice melting” by the World Wildlife Foundation, they state that industry, carbon, and greenhouses are the cause for rising temperatures that lead to melting ice caps.
Sources of carbon that further contribute to greenhouse gases getting trapped in the atmosphere and the melting include electricity consumption and the lesser-known permafrosts. Permafrosts are patches of frozen soil, and when they melt they release organic carbon into the air.
The melting of patches of permafrost isn’t the only case of melting ice further accelerating the problem. Snow and ice are vital for reflecting sunlight back into space, and when they melt, the sun’s rays will hit the Earth directly and heat up the planet even further. Adding more to the record hitting temperatures of the past few years that could be felt as far as the United States and France.
As a result of all these causes, animals near the poles like polar bears and walruses are at risk of losing their homes as the ice melt. Even animals towards the mainland are at severe risk as rising sea levels can push saltwater into the habitats of freshwater animals and vice versa.
Not even humans are safe from this crisis, according to AP Environmental Science teacher Mr. Khong, who has been teaching for 22 years, he states that since San Jose is close to the bay, rising sea levels will cause our city to flood. The rise in water levels can also spell further doom upon humans as it leads to more hurricanes forming.
The situation may seem grim and hopeless for those who live on this planet but not all hope is lost. Climate change and melting ice caps are still in its early stage and it can still be slowed down. While it may be inevitable, a united front to delay the process is all that humans can currently do. There are many ways to play a part in delaying climate change and melting ice caps with actions such as limiting our electricity use and carbon emissions but the best way to do so is spreading awareness on the topic.
While the public may know of the topic, many do not truly understand it. When asked about whether he thinks that people are well informed on the dangers of melting ice caps Mr. Khong replied, “No, I don’t think they understand it because it doesn’t impact their lives as it doesn’t directly impact them yet.”
The APES (Advanced Placement Environmental Science) teacher’s words ring true as in an interview with a slightly more right-leaning citizen Lanly Nguyen. She stated that she does care about the melting ice caps, but not too extremely due to it not physically affecting her. She also states that the media is not doing enough to inform people about the subject.
Another way that humans can help delay the process of melting ice caps to the fullest is by tackling the problem at its source. This source is the machines that release copious amounts of carbon into the skies.
On the other side of the political spectrum, Mr. Butchko (an AP Government teacher) proposes a solution, stating that “the biggest thing that can be done is taxing carbon emissions, subsidize green technology, and revamp the electrical grid.”
On a smaller and more local level, people and especially the next generation can spread awareness and do their part. Students at YB and other high schools can push leadership and ASB (Associated Student Body) to host environmental awareness events to spread the message to younger audiences.
As for those who are fervent deniers in climate change and its effects, it pointless to fight them. The foolish cannot be convinced, it is best to ignore them as they are merely a distraction.
Overall, it is imperative that the world stands united against the endgame. That endgame being Earth’s melting ice caps and its effects. At the end of the day, it’s important to protect our planet as we’re the idiots who live on it. If we don’t fight for our future, humanity will have to say goodbye to a life they once knew, along with everything that came before them.
Ice is a form of water that is frozen to extremely low temperatures and is present in nature. This ice just also happens to make up the landmass of both the North and South Poles and now they are melting at a rapid rate due to climate change.
As of 2019, Earth’s ice caps and sheets have hit an all-time low. Along with numerous other effects such as rising sea levels and habitat loss for animals, these effects have gained the attention of many people but not everyone. Especially the uninformed and climate deniers.
What is to blame for Earth’s ice reaching such a critical state? The blame falls on greenhouse gases and more specifically carbon emissions.
According to “Why are glaciers and sea ice melting” by the World Wildlife Foundation, they state that industry, carbon, and greenhouses are the cause for rising temperatures that lead to melting ice caps.
Sources of carbon that further contribute to greenhouse gases getting trapped in the atmosphere and the melting include electricity consumption and the lesser-known permafrosts. Permafrosts are patches of frozen soil, and when they melt they release organic carbon into the air.
The melting of patches of permafrost isn’t the only case of melting ice further accelerating the problem. Snow and ice are vital for reflecting sunlight back into space, and when they melt, the sun’s rays will hit the Earth directly and heat up the planet even further. Adding more to the record hitting temperatures of the past few years that could be felt as far as the United States and France.
As a result of all these causes, animals near the poles like polar bears and walruses are at risk of losing their homes as the ice melt. Even animals towards the mainland are at severe risk as rising sea levels can push saltwater into the habitats of freshwater animals and vice versa.
Not even humans are safe from this crisis, according to AP Environmental Science teacher Mr. Khong, who has been teaching for 22 years, he states that since San Jose is close to the bay, rising sea levels will cause our city to flood. The rise in water levels can also spell further doom upon humans as it leads to more hurricanes forming.
The situation may seem grim and hopeless for those who live on this planet but not all hope is lost. Climate change and melting ice caps are still in its early stage and it can still be slowed down. While it may be inevitable, a united front to delay the process is all that humans can currently do. There are many ways to play a part in delaying climate change and melting ice caps with actions such as limiting our electricity use and carbon emissions but the best way to do so is spreading awareness on the topic.
While the public may know of the topic, many do not truly understand it. When asked about whether he thinks that people are well informed on the dangers of melting ice caps Mr. Khong replied, “No, I don’t think they understand it because it doesn’t impact their lives as it doesn’t directly impact them yet.”
The APES (Advanced Placement Environmental Science) teacher’s words ring true as in an interview with a slightly more right-leaning citizen Lanly Nguyen. She stated that she does care about the melting ice caps, but not too extremely due to it not physically affecting her. She also states that the media is not doing enough to inform people about the subject.
Another way that humans can help delay the process of melting ice caps to the fullest is by tackling the problem at its source. This source is the machines that release copious amounts of carbon into the skies.
On the other side of the political spectrum, Mr. Butchko (an AP Government teacher) proposes a solution, stating that “the biggest thing that can be done is taxing carbon emissions, subsidize green technology, and revamp the electrical grid.”
On a smaller and more local level, people and especially the next generation can spread awareness and do their part. Students at YB and other high schools can push leadership and ASB (Associated Student Body) to host environmental awareness events to spread the message to younger audiences.
As for those who are fervent deniers in climate change and its effects, it pointless to fight them. The foolish cannot be convinced, it is best to ignore them as they are merely a distraction.
Overall, it is imperative that the world stands united against the endgame. That endgame being Earth’s melting ice caps and its effects. At the end of the day, it’s important to protect our planet as we’re the idiots who live on it. If we don’t fight for our future, humanity will have to say goodbye to a life they once knew, along with everything that came before them.