For over 2,000 years the natural irregularity of the earth’s axis has resulted in the arctic region moving away from the sun during the arctic summer, which in turn lessened the sun exposure. This process has caused the arctic to now be 600,000 miles farther from the sun than it was in AD 1. Naturally, one would expect this drastic distance to lead to at least a 1 degree Fahrenheit fall in temperature. However, the temperature has risen 2.2 degrees since 1900, and the past decade has been the warmest in two millenniums, going completely against natural expectations.

This among other evidence coming from the arctic climate, has lead researchers to believe that global warming might cancel out the earth’s natural cooling and heating systems. These researchers feel this new information gives them reason to disregard the previous belief that the warming of the climate was a natural occurrence.

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This conclusion was made through an experiment where scientist measured the rings in tree trunks and glaciers around the arctic, these natural forms of data all showed the same thing. They showed that in the middle of the 1800’s with the beginning of a new era, specifically the age of industrialization, massive amounts of carbon dioxide were sent into the air, and the warming of the arctic region began.
Evidence shows that the arctic region has heated at three times the rate of the rest of the earth, providing evidence for the theory of arctic amplification.

Arctic amplification states that global warming affects the arctic region more than others. The arctic region has ice sheets which reflect the sun, however global warming causes these ice sheets to melt. Without this reflective ice barrier, vegetation and dark water underneath absorb more of the sun’s rays. The absorbed rays are then sent back into the atmosphere which results in more greenhouse gases being let loose into the environment and increasing global warming.

The rise in temperature has been confirmed by the shrinking glaciers and higher ocean waters. Scientists are unsure how high the oceans will rise but many believe that a 7 ft rise could be likely if greenhouse gases do not decrease.

It is clear through cases such as this and many others that the global warming issue is something that we cannot ignore, nor should it be placed on the back burner. Outside of the disastrous effect of greenhouse gases on the environment, higher global temperatures and the resulting increase in ocean water have been linked to unusual oceanic behaviors including larger tidal waves. Melting glaciers also mean that the habitat of creatures like the polar bear is drastically shrinking, putting their survival at risk.
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Take time to educate yourself about the effects of global warming and finding ways you can help to solve this dilemma. By using environmental friendly lighting fixtures and conserving energy, you are making small improvements in your lifestyle which will have significant positive impacts for our globe.