What happens if the polar ice caps melt?
I have never been a firm believer in the global warming theory. Yes, I know, surprising coming from a science teacher. I believe polar ice caps have melted, and are still, but they have been melting ever since the ice age has ended. Something had to stimulate the growth of the ice caps to their largest size thousand of years ago. I believe the increase in gases from the human race and radiation from the sun can collect in our atmosphere and cause the earth to increase in heat. We do have a hole in the ozone layer, but I believe that it helps release gas when it becomes too dense. I have no problem with buying a vehicle that gets 50 miles per gallon, runs on electricity or hydrogen, mandating businesses to limit the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere, and force companies to make products that are renewable so our land can be used for playgrounds, not filler.
I compare what is happening in the world to a glass of water and an ice cube. The ice cube is going to melting when the temperature is above freezing, faster as it gets smaller, when it is sitting in water, especially when the water or air gets warmer. I have come to understand that our weather follows patterns. I remember back in the 70′s (yes, young people, that would be the 1970′s), in mid-Michigan, the amount of snow was very heavy. Once the decade ended and the 80′s began, some of our winters started later or was considered mild. I remember playing football with my father on Christmas day (I think it was 1981), it was close to sixty degrees, unheard of in the north. I began listening to the weather reports, and reading weather related articles and the farmers almanac. I discovered that the Antarctic has the largest land mass, making up close to 90% of the ice cap on earth and if it did melt, it would increase the water levels by about 200 meters. The only problem is that the average temperature at the Antarctic is -37 degrees, and it does not look like that is going to change any time soon, heck data shows that most of the continent never goes above freezing. The North and South Poles are not comparable, the North Pole has thinner ice and no land, if any, for it to sit on, the South Pole’s ice is thicker and has land for its ice to sit on. A lot of attention is being drawn to the North Pole because the ice (cup of water and ice) is melting faster. I agree with many scientist that say that the world should not see much of a rise in water with the North Pole ice caps melting, with an exception of Greenland, they are already in the water (water displacement).
The greatest disaster we face is not the rise in water, but the increase of fresh water (reduce the salinity) with the salt oceans. The increase of fresh water could change the water currents so much that it reverses the climate to the point that it triggers another ice age. Some scientist predict the end of the human race.
What other questions do you have about this Science Inquiry Experience?
I would like to know how to show students the effects of an increased amount of fresh water to salt water (changing current/changing climate) and ice capped glaciers found on land compared to ice capped glaciers sitting on water (flooding). My concern with the North Pole melting is centered on the density of the salt water and the affect it will have on the climate, not the flooding.
You made some really good points and I have to agree, the biggest problem with the melting ice caps is the change in density and thus the change in the deep water ocean currents. This change will have a dramatic effect on weather patters and more.
I also think we need to realize that this experiment demonstrated what we should expect from a glacier melting and not the melting of the polar ice caps. In the experiment we did the water that was added was only displacing the frozen ice. I think the polar ice caps melting might be better demonstrated using a different experiment, don’t you?
Candace – I would have to agree, the experiment was very controlled, easy to decifer, and my students would agree. I did not like the bowl as the surface of the earth. I would use a larger container (flat) that would have smaller sides compared to the width and length.