“Climate change is a real deal. So, hey deniers – cut it out, and let’s get to work.”
Bill Nye, The Science Guy
Unexpected extremes
There is a heat wave at the poles of the Earth right now.
The basis of climate change is the Earth is warming. And that warming is accelerating even faster at the poles. But in March, record temperatures at both poles surprised climate scientists.
In fact, Antarctic temperatures were 70 degrees F (40 C) above normal, while in the Arctic, they were 50 degrees F (30 C) higher. That these records happened simultaneously was even more shocking. Hopefully, this is just an anomaly, but at minimum it is a reminder of the urgency of the problem.
What’s behind the heat wave at the poles?
Rising temperatures are both a sign of climate change, as well as a catalyst for further change. Ice reflects the sun, so melting ice creates a feedback loop. In other words, when it melts, there is less ice to reflect the sun, so the ocean warms even faster.
Melting ice also leads to increased sea level rise. And to add insult to injury, when areas of permafrost in the Arctic melt, methane is released into the atmosphere, further worsening climate change.
Then there are the polar bears. Because of melting sea ice, it is more difficult for them to hunt for food. Starving polar bears have become a symbol of climate change in the Arctic, but countless other species are also in danger.
The solution
Reducing heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, primarily CO2 and methane, is the solution. Experts say we need to reduce them to net zero by 2050 in order to avoid the worst outcomes, and prevent certain tipping points from taking place.
What can you do?
First, educate yourself about climate change. Then talk to others about it, and advocate for changes at the systemic level. A phone call or email to your elected leaders is a great place to start.
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.