By Kristin DeGree
There is one commonality within every nation of the world at this point that many forget – the impact of global warming. At the rate that the world is heating up at this point, it is a fair statement that all ice caps will melt by the end of THIS century. This means no more Antarctica, no more North or South Pole.
The impact that massive melting rates will have on the world will be great – entire nation coasts will be devoured by the sea – we’ve already witnessed the Katrina disaster here in America. Imagine Katrina five times a year and you will have an idea of the United States’ future in the next 100 years. The impact of the rising sea due to melting ice will not happen in our grandchildren’s lifetimes, it will be during our lifetimes. Though difficult to grasp, the facts must be acknowledged - if we want to do anything about this, we must act now.
As earlier stated, the United States has survived Katrina – one event that may be attributed to rising temperatures. Another worrisome event taking place due to global warming is the endangerment of thousands of snowcap species, in particular the polar bear.
The polar bear, found on Arctic coastlines, are currently being threatened by global warming. Due to mass-produced chemicals, most of which are manmade and disseminated by our SUV’s and factory fuels, the world is heating up at an alarming rate. The icecaps have already begun to melt, and the ecosystem for the large white bear, walrus’, seals, penguins and other arctic species is being depleted. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), “Climate change is causing the disappearance of sea ice from which polar bears hunt their prey,” which also aids in their endangerment.
In fact, according to the UN Works website, a documented 15 percent drop in Polar bear reproduction has occurred during the past couple of years. The UN Works, a group trying to protect endangered species, states that the UN Environment Program (UNEP) signed an agreement in 1973 along with Canada, the U.S., Denmark, Norway and other nations to aid in the conservation of the bear.
“The goal is to protect ecosystems of the bears, particularly their denning and feeding areas and migration routes. The agreement bans hunting from aircraft and powerboats. However, polar bears are still at risk from hunting and from disturbance to their habitat from oil exploration.”
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