Global warming in Antarctica is a topic which has serious reprecussions for the world as a whole. The effects of global warming on Antarctica are stronger than its effects on any other part of the world. As most people are aware, the great problem is that the melting of huge ice sheets could lead to a huge increase in global sea levels, which means that it is vital to monitor the effects of global warming in Antarctica, as this then subsequently effects the whole world. So, how does global warming affect Antarctica?


1) In the last 30 years, global warming in Antarctica has sped up, and no less than seven gigantic ice shelves have reduced in area by 14,500 square kilometers.
2) The global warming effects on Antarctica is five times as strong as anywhere else. In the last fifty years, the continent hasexperienced a warming of around 4.5F, or 2.5C.
3) The Southern Ocean is warming fast. Measurements from the Southern Ocean waters around Antarctica showed an increase of 0.3F, or 0.17C in the average ocean temperature between the 50s and the 80s.
4) The global warming effect on Antarctica is rapidly decreasing its ice-thickness. For example, on one of the islands of Antarctica, called Signey, the permanent ice cover of its lakes has decreased by more than 45% in the last 60 years.
5) The famous Larsen B ice shelf has lost 3,250 square kilometers in the last 50 years. In 1995, 1995 km squared disintegrated suddenly, and in January to February 2002, the northern section of the shelf disintegrated. Nothing like this had been observed since scientists started studying Antarctica.
6) A large number of Antarctic penguins have suffered due to these changes. The population of the ubiquitous Antarctic penguin, the Adelie Penguin, has reduced by more than 33% in the last 25 years.
7) Scientists are very concerned about the fate of the massive West Antarctic ice sheet. If it collapses, it could raise sea levels by as much as an incredible 5.8 meters, which would be catastrophic for many islands and coastal areas around the world.

Antarctica remains the best guide scientists have to the impact of global warming. Many predictions that they make regarding the rest of the world comes from what they witness in Antarctica. For a variety of complex reasons, this part of the world is abnormally effected by global warming, and whilst the globe as a whole has not heated up that severly in recent decades, this region has got a lot hotter.

One of the most worrying aspects of global warming is rising sea levels, especially as most of the world’s great cities are located on the coast. Antarctica is the main reason that sea levels are rising, as that is where the majority of the worlds water is locked up in ice (thousands times more than, say, the north pole). Hundreds of scientists are stationed on Antarctica as you read this article, systematically recoding the breakup of ice sheets and reduction of ice cover.

In this article I have given some information on how does global warming affect Antarctica. On thing is clear, and that is this will eventually touch all of our lives. Let’s hope that society can move towards a sustainable future as quickly as possible in order to mitigate the effects of global warming in Antarctica and the world, and to keep the impacts of climate change to a minimum. The worst case scenarios projected by scientists (computer models) are unthinkable, but with rapid action we could still stay with the limits of the best case scenario (2 degree global increase in 100 years).

For the original story, and further information on the global warming effect on Antarctica, click here

For more information, go to:
en.wikipedia.org,
globalwarming.org

5 Responses to “How does Geothermal Power Work? – Updated Article With New Information”

1. 1
   jon Says:
   

   California contains the largest geothermal capacity in the US. IN this state there are 43 geothermal power plants which have a capacity of around 1800 megawatts. This is two-thirds of the total geothermal generation in the US. Great advances are being made in this energy source in this state.

   September 19th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
2. 2
   jim Says:
   

   I lived in Alaska for a year. Electricity is exorbitant when you get out to the villages – i paid nearly a dollar per kilowatt-hour. This really gets you down as you are constantly having to watch every single things you use. Geothermal energy has a great future in Alaska!

   September 19th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
3. 3
   jake Says:
   

   Heat stored beneath out feet holds an incredible estimated 50000 times more energy than all of the estimated remaining gas and oil reserves combined. If we can harnessed it on a large scale, it will be one of the big solutions to our energy needs.

   September 19th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
4. 4
   mike Says:
   

   You obviously have not heard of the Chena Hot Springs Resort, 60 miles north of Fairbanks. There is Alaska’s very first geothermal plant. It is highly innovative, and is producing electricity from water which is colder than any other geothermal plant.

   September 19th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
5. 5
   jason Says:
   

   Alaska has the most geothermal resources out of all the US states. Very few of these resources have been developed. There is huge potential there.

   September 19th, 2010 at 2:38 pm

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