Glacial Melting Crisis

As we all know, the world is changing as time goes on but, have we ever asked ourselves what are some things that are changing? Animals, technology and nature are some of the things in our world that keep changing. All of these things affect humans is one way or the other like global warming. 

Global warming is when more than a certain amount of GHG (greenhouse gases) are emitted into the atmosphere and when they mix together, they start to change the temperatures, weather and climates of the earth. On top of that, they also change the state of the environment too, which brings us to our topic of discussion, glacial melting.

Glacial Melting 101

Glacial melting is when global warming affects the temperatures of the air to become warmer and it starts to melt the glaciers and icebergs (basically, anything involving snow that is created by mother nature). It is impossible to reverse the process of glacial melting due to the GHG gases up in the air already but we can still maintain to keep the last bit of glacial structures intact by using more renewable energy sources. 

Why Global Warming is a Key Factor

Global warming sometimes doesn’t appeal to people as important because of a long time it takes to change everything but, it is actually more of a threat than we think. Global warming has impacted many people around the world. Glacial melting, Alberta and B.C wildfires, the California droughts and, many more unwanted weather changes are some of the events that Global Warming has contributed to. It also affects the lifestyles of people. If global warming can do so much, imagine how glacial melting can affect the lives of people and living organisms?

How Does Glacial Melting Affect the world?

Some of the people who have to face glacial melting live on mountains, farms, use hydroelectric power and, anything that relies on glaciers and water. Glaciers live on mountains but as the temperatures keep heating up, they are starting to melt. Melted Glaciers and are making their ways downwards into waters, which means that people who live on mountains wouldn’t have water to irrigate crops, drink, shower, and to perform day to day activities. They also would be able to entertain themselves by going on glacier tours. Columbia Ice fields is a big tourist attraction and If it keeps melting, we wouldn’t be able to go there anymore.
If you take a look at the Columbia Ice fields, you will see such a drastic change comparing how it looked in the late 1980s then 2015. 

For people who live near rivers and bodies of water, glacial melting causes water levels to rise. This leads to possible flooding, loss of land, drought-like aftermaths and, many other poor weather conditions. It also leads to a shortage of foods, water, clothing, and many basic necessities because almost anything manufactured or grown from lad/water requires water! Imagine a world where there is no water in rivers, lakes, seas, and, in the ground? That would be horrible. We would get to eat our favourite meals with meat, vegetables, fruits and, wheat. We wouldn’t be able to even eat beyond meat burgers either! Life on earth wouldn’t even exist if we didn’t have water.

Just like that, Icebergs are melting and that leads to the extinction of polar bears, penguins, and many other animals that live in these weather temperatures. Polar bears are stuck on very small icebergs that are floating in the middle of the Arctic sea. They starve because they barely can eat/catch food and barely can move due to the very little space. As soon as they see another iceberg, Polar bears tend to jump/swim from one to another. You may ask, “Why can’t the polar bears swim to another iceberg?”. Polar bears might not where to go, are stuck for days and, starve which leads to no energy. Polar bears are just like us, they need food, water and habitat to live. More and more GHG emissions do not help them in any way.

How You Can Show Support 

Try your best to show support by doing some of the things in the following list which can help you. Simple things like unplugging your appliances can really make a difference, especially when the electricity you get is coal-burning fueled. Make an impact by also telling friends and family. The best way to make a contribution is by decreasing your Carbon Footprint. Your carbon footprint is a measure of your impact on the earth and water (measured in CO2). The amount of CO2 produced by you can be calculated on a CF (Carbon Footprint) calculator. It can help you figure out how much of an impact you made on the earth in CO2 basing the groceries you use, the number of manufactured items you buy and, many other things.

Some ways to prevent glacial melting are:

1. Using fewer fossil fuels
2. Stop producing and buying plastic
3. Count your carbon mass
4. Try to live a more sustainable life
5. Count how far your goods come from (sometimes they come from all the way around the world)
6. Drive less, carpool more
7. Walk, transit and, bike when you can
8. Buy locally-sourced goods
9. Donate to charities that will help keep the animals that live on natural snow structures safe
10. Reduce, reuse & recycle ( we don’t want animals to die of plastic garbage patches in the middle of the ocean)
11. Shower for a little amount of time
12. Spread awareness

Now its time for you to make a decision, make your mark on the world by helping spread the word and save the endangered animals! It is also good to follow environmentalist celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Emma Watson. They guide fans in helping the environment as well!