Melting Ice Caps Could Spell Disaster

Global climate warming is having many detrimental effects on multiple regions of the world. One of the most harshly affected areas is the Arctic. The drastic increase of the average temperature in the Arctic is gradually causing one of the biggest natural hazards ever to plague the earth. Proof of climate change is seen in the Arctic by the major decrease in sea ice that many animals depend on for survival. This summer we saw the lowest sea-ice extent since at least 1979, and the last 5 years have been the lowest ever recorded. The survival of the entire wild Polar bear species is riding on these ever thinning sheets of ice. During the winter months they use them to hunt for food and create a store of energy they use throughout the summer where they reside on land. If the ice sheets continue to break up earlier and earlier they will not have enough time to store a sufficent amount of energy to reproduce and survive.

Humans are also being affected by the drastic melting of ice, not just in the arctic, but around the world. The glacier that covers a significant part of Greenland is breaking apart at an alarming rate. Although the breaking up of ice is a natural process, it has been increasing at very unusual rates. Looking at these rates it is getting harder and harder to dispute the idea that we are the cause of this and we are creating a catastrophic natural hazard. It has been projected that if all the major ice stores on the earth were to melt, sea levels would rise 200 feet. When taking into consideration what cities are on the coast, this is heavy information. The megalopolis along the East coast of the U.S. along with the major cities of New York and Los Angeles would all be under water and would have a detrimental affect on the U.S. and the world, not just with loss of life but with loss of information and technologies. 

The melting ice gives us a small look into the future and it seems to be a warm and gloomy one as long as we don't make an effort to reduce our carbon emissions and other contributions that are catalyzing global warming. The melting of the arctic ice is just the beginning of a waterfall of natural hazards.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/8204241/Polar-bears-could-be-saved-by-a-big-enough-reduction-in-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html?image=1

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2095114,00.html

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2011/02/polar-bears-population-decline-arctic-sea-ice-global-warming-climate-change/1

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44353322/ns/today-today_news/t/second-giant-ice-island-set-break-greenland-glacier/#.ToKjUtTbxPw

Himalayan Earthquake Leaves Thousands Homeless on a Rainy Night

A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit the Himalayan region of India, Nepal, and Tibet on the evening of Sunday September 18. The quake caused a massive domino effect of more than 100,00 collapsed houses and various mudslides that cut off power, water and other utilities to thousands of people. This made rescue efforts by helicopters and earth movers, and military extremely strenuous and communication with most villages unobtainable. Intense rains occurred and made the relief effort near impossible for a period of time, and left the homeless out in the stormy weather for a cold and miserable night.

Thousands of people are currently homeless and others are choosing to stay out of their homes for fear an aftershock will cause them to collapse. At least 5 aftershocks have been recorded so far. The Seattle Times reported that in Gangtok, India many of the residents are taking shelter in the open areas at the University and soccer stadium to protect themselves against these aftershocks. The death toll was reported to be 81, but will continue to rise as rescue workers reach villages that have been cut off by the disaster.




http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/zoom/html/2016261501.html




http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iX2jeXsAw-L5eNjWO_uWTss_glhA?docId=1fbea8b8514845efb5e0372d048c4412


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016258727_apasindiaearthquake.html

Drought Stricken Texas Still Feeling the Heat

Texas has had the hottest and driest summer ever recorded. The drought has been a catalyst for water shortages and wildfires. Many cities and towns are preparing for a problem they have never been faced with before - they are running out of water. Multiple towns already have placed restrictions on water use to the point where nothing more than using it for drinking, bathing, and business is allowed. The drought has brought a number of recent wildfires to the region. One that has been traveling across the Texas for the last few days has taken with it almost 800 homes, which doesn't even compare to the one that roared through Magnolia, Texas and destroyed more than 1,600 homes earlier this summer. Along with battling the heat, many Texans that are displaced by the fires are trying to put the pieces of their homes and lives back together. 

The drought has had a monumental impact on the agriculture of the region. MSNBC reported that in the state of Texas agricultural loses have risen above $5 billion. With Texas being the nations second largest agriculture state one can imagine the impact this has had on many families and businesses.

In the last few days meteorologist have not had much good news for the scorched region. The recent return of La Nina does not bode well for Texas' and surrounding states. This weather system means that the warm and dry temperatures will most likely be expected to continue through December. 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44534812/ns/weather/#.TnK7MtSLPOo

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/18/texas-drought-2011-town_n_930308.html

http://www.climatecentral.org/news/record-breaking-texas-drought-and-heat/

Tropical Storm Katia Hits Ireland & Britain

The media lately has overloaded us with coverage of hurricane Irene, which hit the East coast of the United States late this summer. Other less publicized tropical storms have also been wreaking havoc this season. Tropical Storm Katia hit the shores of Britain and Ireland on Monday. The storm slammed the countries with the strongest winds they’ve experience in 15 years.The Associated Press reported on Monday, September 12, that only one English man was killed when a falling tree hitting the car he was driving. Tens of thousands have lost power and winds of up to 74 mph caused even more monetary damage to ferry and rail systems. Katia also brought rains that caused damaging coastal flooding. Although Ireland and Britain seem to be in the clear, "Norway, Sweden and Denmark said they expected gale-force winds to arrive there Tuesday."

http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110912/ap_on_re_eu/eu_europe_tropical_storm