Tuesday, October 15, 2013

More ice, fewer problems?

This year, it was reported that there was 5 million acres of ice in the Arctic Ocean after the summer, up from last years post-summer acreage of about 1 million. What does this mean?

theguardian.com

People tend throw around statistics and hope to get people to think the way that they do. In the end, that strategy does not help the greatest good: we as a people. But this statistic was supported by a great article published by theguardian.com. In this article, they explained how that this increase in ice did not disprove the idea that the globe was warming. But my question still remains. What does this mean?

Does this mean that polar bears and other Arctic creatures are going to survive  the summer months when the ice is melting? Does this mean we can drive more SUVs? How can we be sure that any evidence explains peoples' theories? 

wikimedia.com
When I read articles about global warming, I generally trust those that predict rather than those that say that the environment is downright heating up. I try my best to find articles that display both sides of the issue. Just like in Othello, you can't trust everyone because you don't always know what angle people are working. Iago might just be behind that article you're reading, so be careful.

Does more ice mean fewer problems? Probably not. There is so much research conducted on this topic. It's not just the vast areas if ice that matter, it's also the thickness that is being measured. According to The Guardian, the problems related with Arctic and its ice are not receding. The thickness of the ice has actually gotten thinner which is not good. There are plenty of problems with the Arctic ice. But with further research and better environmental practices, hopefully we can help to slow the ice from melting and save the animals that inhabit those cold areas. That's what I saw from my pier today. What will you see from yours?

Merri

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