GlobalWarmingExclusiveAntarctica

AbigailTubin

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By Abigail Tubin

How does global warming in the United States compare to global warming in the Antarctic region? For the most part, the temperature increase has been the same between the USA and Antarctic. Although, the Antarctic Peninsula is warming much faster then the rest of Antarctica, with a 1.1 degree centigrade increase per decade from the years 1950-2010. The peninsula is warming six times faster than the global average warming rate! In the United States, weather patterns have been one of the most common results of global warming. In July of 2006, severe heat waves contributed to the deaths of more than 225 people! In the Arctic region, the most common result of global warming is the melting sea ice. The loss of sea ice is causing many animals to loose their homes. The polar bears are listed “threatened” on the Endangered Species Act due to melting sea ice.

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The chart above shows the temperature increase rates of each Antarctic region per year. The Antarctic Peninsula has the highest temperature increase rate, with a 0.2 degree Celsius increase per year.

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This chart shows the average global warming temperature increase predictions within the years 2070 and 2100. By 2070, the United States average temperature is predicted to increase 4 to 5 degrees Celsius. Antarctica’s average temperature is also predicted to increase 4 to 5 degrees Celsius by the year 2070.

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Adelie and Emperor penguins at risk of extinction

within the next century!

One problem putting these penguins in jeopardy is food shortage. Shrimp called krill eat phytoplankton that grows on the sea ice. Due to the constant increase in temperature, the sea ice is melting, which is leaving no place for the phytoplankton to grow. This is leaving the shrimp with very little food. The penguins usually feast on the krill, but since they are dying due to food shortage, the penguins also have very little food.

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Another problem facing the penguins is melting pools. The increase in temperature is creating moisture in the air. This moisture is melting the snow, which is creating melting pools. When penguins may eggs they must keep the eggs under them and on the ground. They do this to incubate the eggs. Penguins are now having a hard time finding places to lay their eggs because of the melting pools. The eggs cannot be place in the melting pools because they will drown. They need to be incubated at all times. Many eggs are not hatched due to the melting pools.

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