Climate Change is Real: Arctic Ice Melts to Record Low

New data collected by satellites shows that Arctic sea ice is melting at a rapid pace, thanks to the continual burning of fossil fuels. Temperature has steadily risen in this region. There has been a 40% drop of Arctic sea ice since 1979, demonstrating that these contributing causes did not occur suddenly— this decrease has been accumulating for decades. Global warming, the rising of green house gas emissions and climate change each play a factor in the current state of the Arctic. 

We should be very concerned about this news, as land ice melts leads to elevated sea levels. Rising sea levels have a variety of environmental effects, such as altered ecosystems and shifting weather conditions. Take, for example, this past summer. Parts of the U.S. experienced record periods of extreme heat, and there were more frequent droughts in the Southwest. Instances of weather-related events will only increase as nature subsides to man-made pollution.

Despite all this, wealthy nations do not seem to be concerned about Arctic sea ice melting, as they are competing against one another for oil drilling. Moreover, higher sea levels create more trade routes for the shipping industry. 

As humans, we are at fault. The blame rests on our shoulders. To argue that we did not see the warning signs is ridiculousness; we simply chose to ignore them. Mankind's endless pursuit of exploration has lead to the trampling of nature in our wake.

But the good news is we can stop the bleeding.

We need to be realistic and take a look around. Polluting nations need to take responsibility for their actions, reduce greenhouse gases, cut carbon emissions, and end extraction and our dependency on fossil fuels. Such practices will help slow climate change, and if a collective conscious effort is made, this can restore the Arctic sea ice level.