Hottest Temperatures Ever Recorded In Antarctica
By Alex Errington
As of February 9th, the Antarctic Peninsula experienced a heatwave, reaching temperatures in the high 60s, the highest being 69.3 degrees Fahrenheit (20.75 Celsius). The early warmth comes against the background of increasing temperatures, due to climate change. The quick flash of heat resulted in the melting of 20% of the island's snow cover in days, causing "melt ponds" to form, which only hastens the progress of melting. Researchers at Esperanza Base state that the temperature records were aided in part by downsloping winds, or "foehn winds," which are created by turbulent mixing of air, as it goes over mountains sweeping down low over water. NASA released data showing the impacts of the Antarctic warmth on Eagle Island, on the tip of the Peninsula. In the short term, these consequences may seem small, but these short term heat-waves can have extremely long-lasting consequences.
Works Cited:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/02/24/antarctic-heat-wave-melted-20-percent-an-islands-snow-cover-days-caused-melt-ponds-proliferate/
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/types-of-weather/wind/foehn-effect
Discussion Questions
- How might the flashes of heat in Antarctica affect wildlife?
- Do you believe world governments should make an effort to preserve and slow the melting in Antarctica? How do you propose they do this?
- What other long-lasting affects can climate change have on any ecosystem?
I think governments should provide support for the melting of Antartica. They could limit the amount of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere by prohibiting the burning of fossil fuels or limiting the use of cars. This could prevent the extinction of various animals living and depending on the ice. Cutting off the production of greenhouse gases could harm the economy of some countries, but I think ultimately, this would be a beneficial decision for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe increased temperatures in antarctica can affect the wildlife because of their food chain. Many of the animals in antarctica have food sources which can't adapt well to the changing temperatures of the environment, therefore the production of that species will begin to fall. In addition glaciers are melting at a rapid rate which will affect the wildlife's home and ecosystem, where they won't have the proper nutrition or home.
ReplyDeleteFlashes of heat in Antarctica would cause ice caps to melt, which would cause animals to lose their homes like there, like the polar bears that are drowning because they can't find any land :( I believe that world governments should make an effort to preserve and slow the melting in Antarctica because when the ice caps melt, it brings the average temperature up in the world because there isn't as much ice to reflect the sun's rays. I think they should do this by reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing the carbon tax. Climate change can have lasting effects on the ecosystem, such as more natural disasters and flooding.
ReplyDeleteI think that governments can do something to make a difference in global warming by switching to renewable energy sources and staying away from burning fossil fuels. This may damage the economy but it is necessary in the long run. If countries don’t start doing something about it soon then we will start to see longer lasting effects from climate change such as what is going on in Antarctica. Ecosystems all over the world will suffer from food shortages and animals will not be able to adapt to their changing habitats.
ReplyDeleteHeat flashes in Antarctica affects lots of wildlife as many wildlife can't adapt fast enough to global warming. And governments should be providing support but unfortunately many politicians don't see heat flashes and global warming as a problem.
ReplyDeleteThese heat waves occurring now in the polar regions of the world are definitely affecting the wildlife that live there, forcing animals such as polar bears to swim greater distances in order to find ice thick enough for them to rest and live on temporarily. I think that there should definitely be efforts put into regulating greenhouse gas emissions and also investments made into searching for and promoting alternative fuel and energy sources. There could be huge effects worldwide from massive amount ice melt that is occurring which increases the sea levels and could affect many coastal regions of the world.
ReplyDeleteThese flashes of warmer weather are definitely affecting the wildlife in the area in a negative way. Animals like polar bears are facing the consequences of global warming as they are losing their homes due to the melting ice. If this continues, much more wildlife and ecosystems will be damaged in the future. World governments definitely need to come together to solve this issue as it will affect everyone in one way or another.
ReplyDeleteWith global warming continuing, these flashes of warmer weather will negatively affect the wildlife not only in Antarctica but around the world. These waves of hot weather will continue to melt Antarctica which will ultimately lead to rising sea levels and this will harm wildlife as well as civilization. Governments should work to save and prevent Antarctica from melting because it is an ecosystem for species such as penguins and polar bears. Climate change can continue to negatively impact wildlife and ecosystems because it may lead to extinction since some wildlife may not be able to adapt.
ReplyDeleteAs global warming continues to present itself more and more in our world, we are experiencing more and more abnormal weather patterns. This is becoming a larger problem for wildlife because many of these animals rely on the ice in order to survive. For example, this includes polar bears who need ice to float on between swimming large expanses. Without this ice, they typically drown in the ocean because they cannot continue to swim. The government should work extensively on advocating for more renewable resources and alternatives to fossil fuels. Although this many not stop global warming and these weather patterns, it can slow down or prevent more harm from being done. IF more cannot be done, many of these species will go extinct.
ReplyDeleteClimate change can have many long-lasting effects on ecosystems. For example, warmer temperatures can cause species to migrate to higher altitudes in order to escape the heat, therefore taking them out of one part of the ecosystem and placing them in another part. Also, the rise in sea levels is causing saltwater to mix with some freshwater which is killing certain species and forcing others to migrate. This disrupts food chains as different species that are considered prey or predators are moving allowing other species to either die out or increase in population. Climate change is also changing the weather in each season leading to a change in migration, blooming, and reproduction patterns in animals' annual life cycles. In terms of the melting ice in Antartica, this leads to a decrease in ice algae which are an important food source for zooplankton. These zoo plankton are eaten by Arctic cod which are eaten by seals. Then, these seals are eaten by polar bears. Therefore, not only is the melting of the ice reducing the land in which the polar bears can survive on, but it is messing up their food chain.
ReplyDeleteSource: https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-ecosystems_.html
It just blows my mind that in Antarctica, the whole continent that is the very definition of cold, barren tundra, it got up to 70 degrees. I could comfortably wear a T-shirt in that weather, but in Antarctica? It just seems so crazy to me that that is possible, and it really scares me if this is only the beginning of the consequences of global warming.
ReplyDeleteA lot of animals depend on the temperature of Antarctica and the ice itself for things like breeding and hunting. When one is affected its like a domino effect and everyone is impacted.
ReplyDeleteThe world government should make an effort to preserve Antarctica because it is home to many arctic animals such as polar bears, and penguins and because of this climate change they would be unable to survive. There is a food change in every environment and by having one species die in Antarctica another will follow. Humans may also be affected by this because they are part of the food chain.
ReplyDeleteThe warmer weather in antarctica are causing a great impact on wild life in antarctica. Many animals depend on the weather for them to survive, without the cold some animals may be at risk for going extinct.The government should try to spread awareness to more people. If people know what is happening and why it might affect us, then it might make them act differently to help the environment. If the temperature rises more than it already is then ice caps will eventually fully melt, causing water levels to rise which might affect marine wildlife. This will cause damage to the world if water levels rise too high because smaller islands might overflow causing people to become refugees in search of a new place to live.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned in this article (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/13/antarctic-temperature-rises-above-20c-first-time-record) the melting of sea ice is thought to be behind the decline of more than 50% of in chinstrap penguin colonies which is an example of how it can affect wildlife. I believe the world government should try to prevent more of this from happening by just getting rid of climate change. This will take a long time but its the only long-term solution to stopping this happening permanently.
ReplyDeleteI believe the warmer weather in Antarctica is harmful for the environment and cause lots of ice in the area to melt. This would make for different conditions in a short period of time that organisms can't adapt to fast enough, therefore making organisms migrate or die out, changing the ecosystem forever. The ice melts would have a big environment alone, as the melting would release more gas and harm the atmosphere, and the less amount of ice would make it hard for organisms to live as there wouldn't be enough land for them to survive.
ReplyDeleteThe warmer weather in Antarctica will affect the entire world. This will increase the sea level, which will affect coastal homes everywhere. This is especially worrying because it has happened so quickly. Climate change must be addressed immediately or more dangerous thing will happen.
ReplyDeleteAs global warming continues, the weather in Antarctica will get warmer. This will lead to ice caps melting and sea level rising. Animals there also depend on cold weather and the ice, but with that gone, many animals will have to adapt to this change. Global warming is one of the most important issues that must be addressed.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I believe that global warming, and climate change in general, is likely the driving force behind this heatwave. As the Antarctic continues to melt and sea levels continue rising, the situation of millions of people in different regions of the world is deteriorating, a phenomenon politicians have known about for decades but mostly ignored. Better late than never, though: government officials should heed such weather patterns as a wake up call to invest more funding into the development of more sustainable manufacturing, while also trying to minimize the impact on people's day-to-day lives.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHeat in Antarctica spells trouble for the wildlife; already, there are many reports of polar bears drowning because they were unable to find ice, and these are unsettling. In addition, the heating in Antarctica due to climate change means sea level rise, which would be very detrimental to the ecosystems on coastlines, as well as potentially usurping millions to billions of people from their homes. World governments need to take more action to fight against climate change; they need to grill companies harder for their carbon emissions, need to invest in more sustainable development in other countries, etc.--just simply take some, if any, forms of action instead of debating if it is worth it or not before it is too late.