...The Tragedy of Polar Bears Polar bears in the Arctic are tremendously affected by pollution now. As global warming progresses, wind and water currents carry pollutants, most of which come from industrial sources in different parts of the world, and cause them to travel to the Arctic because of the ‘conveyor belt’ nature of the atmosphere and ocean (Yarim 2013). These chemicals accumulate in the fat of many animals, mainly through the food chain, which are then eaten by top predators such as polar bears. Thus, polar bears inevitably have severe health problems and risk death. When consumed at high levels, the pollutants can have a dramatic and potentially fatal impact, which affects the polar bear population in the Arctic severely. The most prevalent chemicals found in the Arctic are “Persistent Organic pollutants (POPs)”, such as the pesticide DDT, the industrial chemical polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which can biomagnify up the food chain. Other pollutants may include acid rain, heavy metals and radioactive isotopes (Yarim 2013). According to studies, bears with high levels of some POPs have low levels of vitamin A, thyroid hormones, and some antibodies (WWF Global 2009). The pollutants load of polar bears in the Arctic are negatively affecting the immune system, hormone regulation, growth patterns, reproduction, and survival rates of polar bears. The studies have suggested that the immune system is weaker in some polar bears with higher levels of PCBs. A weakened...
Words: 587 - Pages: 3
...nowadays, be it the pollution found in the cities, deforestation of natural rainforests, and the melting of the polar ice caps. One of the worst environmental problems, if not the worst, that the Earth is currently facing is global warming. Global warming is the gradual increase of the Earth’s surface temperature, mainly due to the effects of certain greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from either deforestation or monoxides found in pollution. These gases would trap the heat that would supposedly escape from the surface of the Earth, which would effectively increase the Earth’s surface temperature. From the name itself, we can already know the main effect of global warming to the Earth. There is this gradual change in temperature, more specifically, a rise in temperature of the Earth’s climate system. From this rise in temperature, more side effects would be branching out. Some of these include the depletion of different bodies of water, forest fires, unpredictable weather, and the melting of the polar caps. It would be fair to say that humans must reap what they sow, that because we have been burning fossil fuels and cutting down trees, we deserve to suffer the consequences given by global warming. Although, it is not just humans who are experiencing these side effects, plants and animals alike also pay for the cost of our negligence to our environment. Let us first take into account the depletion of water in different bodies of water. This phenomenon tends to...
Words: 1177 - Pages: 5
...negative impact on this delicate environment. This certain type of business has been damaging the marine animals and ice caps have vanished causing their habitat to be under threat. In addition, as the ice disappears companies and governments drill for oil in the melting waters which have an even greater effect on the Arctic itself as much as it affects the marines ecosystem. These oil companies do this activity of drilling to increase economic growth and to decrease the price of gasoline. Furthermore, by performing this activity, oil companies say this can create jobs. Oil is also a dependable natural source that is highly relied on for many purposes and it can not...
Words: 1010 - Pages: 5
...that is exposed to the air as well as conducive heat loss though the 40% of their body that is exposed to the ice. This all happens though a process by which the pinnipeds lose their heat to their environment through a countercurrent heat exchange. As the colder blood from their extremities reaches their core, heat is stolen lowering the core temperature of the pinnipeds. Based off of a study by Pierotti in 1980 the rate of radiant heat loss on land at -30°C was calculated to be roughly equivalent to the rate of heat loss in water at 0°C, and at -40°C the radiant heat loss was approximately 20-30% greater than the water. With this data one might question why the pinnipeds choose to reproduce in the winter as opposed to the summer. The reason is simply because of stability, when the pups are born they only have a thin fat coat (lanugo) that persists until the pup can develop its blubber. This lanugo is only effective whilst dry and when wet has the opposite effect of insulating actually increasing its rate of heat loss, because of this the pinnipeds have always choose the winter for reproduction when the ice is at its thickest, thus minimizing the chances that...
Words: 1388 - Pages: 6
...changes which occur over many years. Climate patterns play an important role in molding the ecosystems. Many wildlife species and human cultures depend on them. A change in climate can have a major impact on how and where plants and animals eat and live. For example, a change in the usual rain pattern or temperature can have a drastic affect on when animals breed, migrate, and hibernate. It also affects plant life cycles and their ability to grow. The impact that climate change has on nature can be catastrophic. Climate change has already had a noticeable effect across the globe and on the environment. Glaciers are shrinking, ice along rivers and lakes are melting earlier, plants and animals have shifted their ranges, trees are flowering sooner, and sea levels are rising. These effects were predicted in the past by scientists, and they are finally occurring. Most of climate change is caused by global warming and the greenhouse effect. (Gardiner, 2004) Global warming is a rise in the average temperature on the earth’s surface. Scientists who study the climate have evaluated climate patterns since the early 1800’s. From their evaluations, they have noticed a rise in temperature, from about 0.7 to 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit and they estimate temperatures to continue to rise over the next century, an additional 2.5 to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit. With this change, scientists fear that all living organisms will have a hard time adapting to these rapid climate changes (Mastrandrea & Schneider,...
Words: 3361 - Pages: 14
...Marilyn J. Holmes ENGL 101-B07 LUO (APA) Mr. Brian Powell Liberty University Changes For The Better “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3 New International Version). The environment is something that we as humans often take for granted. Making up everything that surrounds us, you would think that more of our population would take this blessing into more consideration. The actions we take for our environment do not compare to those taken against it. With it being a Christian’s responsibility to preserve and protect this God given Earth, we shall always try our hardest to fulfill his expectations. Sure we can put our recycling bins out on the curb once a week or maybe even pick up trash we see in our parks (which the average person refuses to do), but I feel that we need to take more responsibility and create a more healthy environment. We need to take charge and start promoting a more all-around environment conscious lifestyle to keep this blessing that God gave to us alive. Statistics have shown that the effects humans have on Earth are ever-growing and if we don’t change our ways now, who knows what the future may be like. The toll for not being “green” will definitely have a detrimental effect on us and our next generations. Environmental issues are growing before our eyes. Coral reefs are losing life which causes fish to have to survive without shelter, bees are disappearing leaving a huge dent in our food production...
Words: 1440 - Pages: 6
...(SEPTEMBER 2006) P. 261 – 275 Possible Effects of Climate Warming on Selected Populations of Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Canadian Arctic IAN STIRLING1 and CLAIRE L. PARKINSON2 (Received 10 November 2005; accepted in revised form 25 January 2006) ABSTRACT. Polar bears depend on sea ice for survival. Climate warming in the Arctic has caused significant declines in total cover and thickness of sea ice in the polar basin and progressively earlier breakup in some areas. Inuit hunters in the areas of four polar bear populations in the eastern Canadian Arctic (including Western Hudson Bay) have reported seeing more bears near settlements during the open-water period in recent years. In a fifth ecologically similar population, no changes have yet been reported by Inuit hunters. These observations, interpreted as evidence of increasing population size, have resulted in increases in hunting quotas. However, long-term data on the population size and body condition of polar bears in Western Hudson Bay, as well as population and harvest data from Baffin Bay, make it clear that those two populations at least are more likely to be declining, not increasing. While the ecological details vary in the regions occupied by the five different populations discussed in this paper, analysis of passive-microwave satellite imagery beginning in the late 1970s indicates that the sea ice is breaking up at progressively earlier dates, so that bears must fast for longer periods during the open-water...
Words: 12538 - Pages: 51
...Ryan Bustinza Global Warming Global warming is defined as the rise in average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century. The average temperature of the Earth has increased about 1 and a half degrees, with about two-thirds of the increase occurring since 1980. In general, many scientists believe that the primary causes are greenhouse gases. These greenhouse gases are produced by many human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, and deforestation. The findings of these scientists are recognized by all major industrialized nations. Negative effects of global warming have already been noticed throughout the environment. Sea level rising, changes in climate extremes, and the decline of artic ice which could also lead to a glacier retreat. In addition, ecological systems are also at risk of global warming. Ecosystems could start to be affected, along with the extinction of species, and an increased ocean acidity. The idea of global warming was first proposed by Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish Scientist, who in 1896 stated that combustion of fossil fuel may eventually result in global warming. Along with this theory he also proposed that there was a relation between atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and temperature. Arrhenius, along with Thomas Chamberlin, calculated that human activities could warm the earth by adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. But, the discoveries of Arrhenius and Chamberlin were forgotten for a...
Words: 1086 - Pages: 5
...The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming: Definition, Causes, and potential effects to humans, Plants, animal communities and natural resources. Discuss with illustrations. INTRODUCTION There's a delicate balancing act occurring every day all across the Earth, involving radiation the planet receives from space and the radiation that's reflected back out to space. Enormous amounts of radiation, primarily from the sun strikes the Earth's atmosphere in the form of visible light, ultraviolet, infrared and other types of radiation that are invisible to the human eye. About 30 percent of the radiation striking Earth's atmosphere is immediately reflected back out to space by clouds, ice, snow, sand and other reflective surfaces, according to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). The remaining 70 percent of incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the oceans, the land and the atmosphere. As they heat up, the oceans, land and atmosphere release heat in the form of infrared thermal radiation, which passes out of the atmosphere and into space. It is this equilibrium of incoming and outgoing radiation that makes the Earth habitable. Without this balance, the greenhouse effect sets in. Definition Greenhouse Effect: The warming of the atmosphere due to the increased amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides and methane. These gases form a blanket over the Earth, trapping the energy or heat from the sun and preventing it from leaving the atmosphere...
Words: 2333 - Pages: 10
...UNIT 1 EDEXCEL GEOGRAPHY MAY 2010 QUESTION 8 a) Suggest why some groups and communities view the melting of Greenland’s ice sheet as an opportunity rather than a threat. (10) Some groups and communities view the melting of Greenland’s ice sheet as an opportunity rather than a threat because the melting ice creates some commercial advantages for the Arctic region; the Northern Sea Route, North of Canada, is the quickest way of travelling from Europe to the Pacific and Asia. This also increases the tourism opportunities because 30% of Inuit earn income from sculpture and printmaking for tourists, as the tourist ships are able to transport to the northern Canada. As the rapidly melting ice offers commercial opportunities in shipping, tourism and oil and gas extraction, the world’s largest economies are struggling but as well as trying to achieve and get hold of the region within the Arctic. A region in the Arctic thought to be contain 30% of the world’s undiscovered gas and 13%% of undiscovered oil. In addition, more oil can be used by groups of Inuit for essentials like the uses of fossil fuels. In Alaska, due to the new drilling activity, it creates new job opportunities and incomes for the local economy, which means more Inuit, get the job opportunities like this. Furthermore, there are currently four more mining operation being setting up and soon, it will provide jobs for natives in Greenland. In 2007, the Northwest Passage between Canada and Arctic melted enough to...
Words: 1142 - Pages: 5
...Arctic Home Campaign Coca- Cola Presented to Mutar Kent CEO and Chairman of the Coca-Cola Company March 8th 2012 March 8th, 2012 Muhtar Kent CEO and Chairman of the Coca-Cola Company Dear Mr. Kent, Although raising awareness for the polar bears habitat is critical, study has shown that the company’s campaign to save the polar bears by the changing the colour of the Coca-Cola cans has been ineffective. Many consumers were mislead by the change of colour of the cans. The new white Coca-Cola cans are too similar to the Diet Coke cans. In today’s society, consumers have been accustomed to brand recognition and do not take time to read labels. Many consumers accidently bought regular Coca-Cola thinking they were purchasing Diet Coke. The purpose of changing the cans to white is to promote awareness to the polar bears habitat and raise money for the cause. Many do not know how to donate to the campaign. It was unclear to many consumers the reason for changing the colour of the cans. The change brought more confusion than it did awareness to the polar bears. I am thankful for the 25 participants who gave me their time in order to complete the questionnaire survey, as well as Maria-Jose Errunza and my classmates of Comm 212 who have helped me with this report. Their contribution is greatly appreciated. Thank you for the attention given to this report. You may contact me at 438-886-8012 should you need further clarification in regards to...
Words: 2208 - Pages: 9
...of wildlife and plants is constantly threatened as a direct result of humanity. Global Warming is finally receiving acknowledgement necessary to make a difference in the wasteful and destructive routines of human expansion. Artic wildlife is experiencing the most difficulties as the surrounding glaciers are all melting. Our primary focus is on polar bears as they rely on masses of ice to rest after hunting for food. With the emergence of warmer climate, the areas of ice are diminishing leaving polar bears swimming for even longer until they drown from exhaustion. A federal regulation was passed in May of 2008 to protect the polar bear species from extinction by adding them to the endangered list. This should be a wake-up call to every individual living on the planet Earth as it is time to take responsibility for our actions and start making serious changes. Continued decrease of sea ice levels is expected in the future which affects the entire span of polar bears which reclassifies their status as threatened and endangered. The initial process began with a 12-Month Petition Finding and Proposed Rule during the year 2007. Polar bears are considered threatened with critical habitat under The Endangered Species Act of 1973. According to the Act: “Through Federal action and by encouraging the establishment of State programs, The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provided for the conservation of ecosystems upon which threatened and endangered species of fish, wildlife, and plants depend...
Words: 2559 - Pages: 11
...time regardless of human interference. On the other hand, there are people who believe that global warming is very serious, and will eventually affect future generations. As of now, scientist may only research the reason behind temperature changes. And for us people, we may decide on our own whether global warming is serious, or is only a natural thing. The controversy of global warming and its effect on temperature has been around for many years. Scientifically, global warming is described as the increasing air temperatures near the Earth’s surface. An increase in temperature can affect many things such as: weather patterns (potentially causing natural disasters) as well as animal adaptations. An example of how global warming affects animals and their adaptations to certain environments is shown by the following: Twenty years before...
Words: 1102 - Pages: 5
...throughout the world. However, it has taken many years for the issue to get the attention it deserves and so desperately needs. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, scientists discovered changes in weather in relation to global warming. However, people denied it saying it is a recurring pattern. “Nobody worried about the change. The meteorologists explained that weather patterns always did vary modestly, in cycles lasting a few decades or centuries. If the mid-twentieth century happened to be a time of warming, so much the better.” (Weart, 2003) The weather was getting warmer and more enjoyable so people reveled in it and did not see it as something damaging to the environment. Why would a person question something that they do not understand and does not knowingly impact their personal lives? In 1972, scientists were well aware of the effects of global warming....
Words: 859 - Pages: 4
...Atmospheric Pollution As I had started my research on atmospheric pollution, I had come to find that it all coincides with global warming. Due to the gases that are being released in the air from vehicles, it starts to destroy the atmosphere. However, it is not just the gases from the vehicles, there are also gases from power plants and aerosol cans, for example, hairspray. Smokers also contribute to the pollution in the atmosphere. All of this will be discussed further into the paper. The one thing that was asked was to give a detailed description of the problem. Coming up with a detailed description was not a problem but difficult and time consuming. I have come up with a number of problems that atmospheric pollution, or global warming, has on people, animals and the world. Map Results I have found a map that shows the locations where there is air pollution. On this map, there are images of blue, purple and red dots. These dots represent the U.S. Industrial facilities that use toxic chemicals. The city and states with a high count of toxic usage had the blue and red dots next to them. These city and states are as follows: Phoenix, Arizona, Salt Lake City, Utah, San Diego, California, Los Angeles, California, Riverside, California, Bakersfield, California, San Francisco, California, Stockton, California, Sacramento, California, Las Vegas, Nevada, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle Washington. There are 34 city and states including Canada that are highlighted...
Words: 2142 - Pages: 9
