"Every summer, the sea ice in the Arctic Ocean melts as the region heats up. And every year, as fall arrives and temperatures drop, the ice begins to build up again."
This article taught me that every season the temperature changes. In the summer it gets hot and in the winter it gets cold. But in the Arctic, during the summer the ice melts and in the winter the water turns back into ice. But lately, not all of the water has frozen back. And the animals there are in danger.
"Most scientists have long believed that the climate's warming--roughly 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit over land in the past century, with most of that occurring since 1980--is caused largely by the human release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels."
Over the past century, temperatures have risen about 2.5°F. It might not seem like a lot, but it makes a huge difference to our climate and our planet. The Arctic isn't the only place in the world that is in trouble. But it is also one of the worst defenders. In the United States, there have been hurricanes, droughts and other violent and extreme storms and weather patterns. The warmer the planet gets, the more we have to suffer.
"Some of them (scientists) think the shrinking Arctic sea ice has already started to alter atmospheric patterns in the Northern Hemisphere, contributing more extreme weather in the United States and other countries, buy that link is not considered proved."
In addition to the temperatures rising, scientists also think that the global warming is altering atmospheric patterns in the Northern Hemisphere. Scientists also think that extreme weather will become more common as the planet warms. But there might be other changes in other parts of the world. Such as extreme weather and natural disasters. But the weather problems will become more and more frequent in the future if we don't try to make a change.
"A vast majority of scientists, however, agree that extreme weather events--everything from heat waves to blizzards--will become more common as the planet warms."
After reading this article, I have come to understand that the world is in the middle of severe global warming. It is not only harming the Arctic, but it is also hurting other parts of the world. Not just places in the cold, but also the United States and the United Kingdom. More and more violent storms and crazy weather are going to be coming our way. And if we don't try to stop it, we will be in serious trouble in the future. Every year, the average global temperature has gone up a lot. And eventually it will be too high and the whole world will be underwater. Hopefully before then, we can try to help the environment.
Works Cited:
Gillis, Justin. "Arctic Meltdown." The New York Times Upfront 19 Nov. 2012: 8-11. Web.
