"We need to save the Arctic not because of the polar bears, and not because it is the most beautiful place in the world, but because our very survival depends upon it" (Lewis Gordon Pugh). Anthropogenic contamination and change of the Arctic has been an issue for human civilization for many years, however many people do not believe that humans are the cause of such a difference in this once pristine environment. The activity of humans is primarily responsible for global warming, however, this topic is still being heavily debated today. The pro party argues that rising levels of air pollutants are being done by human activity, the con party believes anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are too small to cause any significant changes to the
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Loganathan (pg 108-109) discuses the consequences of man-made persistent organic chemicals or pollutants (POC 's/POP 's) that causes pollution of the environment. He assists in the insight of the biological and environmental behavior of these chemicals and the improvement method for protecting the environment for future generation. Chemicals such as the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH 's) are able to travel long distances around the globe and do not degrade easily which causes damage to Arctic regions and the colder temperatures of the North allows these chemicals to remain in the Arctic for longer periods of time, contaminating the water and soil. The concentration of the chemicals in the Arctic has increased since the advancement of human technology, as these chemicals are made for us consumers and are used for pesticides (DDT) solvents and pharmaceuticals. The Arctic haze (airborne toxic contaminants such as herbicides and pesticides such as lindane and DDT heavy metals, such as lead, mercury and vanadium and industrial organic compounds such as DIOXINS and PCBs, and high concentration of sulfates) which are sourced from paper mills, pulps, oil and gas activities to industrial processes, smelting and combustion of fossil fuels. Pollutants in the haze can be traced to vehicles, shipping and agriculture; all used/needed for the consumption of modern human …show more content…
Their trapping and heating mechanisms has a great effect on the polar ice packs. The stagnant and cold conditions of the Arctic regions allow for the pollutants to be airborne for long periods of time until warmer conditions arrive in the springtime. Effects of these chemicals varies from cancer to birth defects and can be of great detriment to animals in these regions. The Arctic haze has been linked to the melting of the ice caps and the rise in sea levels around the globe. This should be of great concern for us as many cities are below sea levels and can result in floods and catastrophic events. Sea levels around the globe rose 17 centimeters in the last century alone. NASA 's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment showed that parts of the Arctic lost 150 to 250 cubic kilometers (36 to 60 cubic miles) of ice per year between 2002 and 2006. Thickness and extent of the Arctic ice has declined rapidly over the years as well as glaciers around all parts of the world. Pollution from nearby oil fields in Prudhoe Bay and other parts o the arctic causes harm to the once untouched region of our globe and the dig for natural and non renewable resources persists with no relief. Not only do these chemicals contaminate the Arctic but they cause major global catastrophes and will only get worse for future
Loganathan (pg 108-109) discuses the consequences of man-made persistent organic chemicals or pollutants (POC 's/POP 's) that causes pollution of the environment. He assists in the insight of the biological and environmental behavior of these chemicals and the improvement method for protecting the environment for future generation. Chemicals such as the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH 's) are able to travel long distances around the globe and do not degrade easily which causes damage to Arctic regions and the colder temperatures of the North allows these chemicals to remain in the Arctic for longer periods of time, contaminating the water and soil. The concentration of the chemicals in the Arctic has increased since the advancement of human technology, as these chemicals are made for us consumers and are used for pesticides (DDT) solvents and pharmaceuticals. The Arctic haze (airborne toxic contaminants such as herbicides and pesticides such as lindane and DDT heavy metals, such as lead, mercury and vanadium and industrial organic compounds such as DIOXINS and PCBs, and high concentration of sulfates) which are sourced from paper mills, pulps, oil and gas activities to industrial processes, smelting and combustion of fossil fuels. Pollutants in the haze can be traced to vehicles, shipping and agriculture; all used/needed for the consumption of modern human …show more content…
Their trapping and heating mechanisms has a great effect on the polar ice packs. The stagnant and cold conditions of the Arctic regions allow for the pollutants to be airborne for long periods of time until warmer conditions arrive in the springtime. Effects of these chemicals varies from cancer to birth defects and can be of great detriment to animals in these regions. The Arctic haze has been linked to the melting of the ice caps and the rise in sea levels around the globe. This should be of great concern for us as many cities are below sea levels and can result in floods and catastrophic events. Sea levels around the globe rose 17 centimeters in the last century alone. NASA 's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment showed that parts of the Arctic lost 150 to 250 cubic kilometers (36 to 60 cubic miles) of ice per year between 2002 and 2006. Thickness and extent of the Arctic ice has declined rapidly over the years as well as glaciers around all parts of the world. Pollution from nearby oil fields in Prudhoe Bay and other parts o the arctic causes harm to the once untouched region of our globe and the dig for natural and non renewable resources persists with no relief. Not only do these chemicals contaminate the Arctic but they cause major global catastrophes and will only get worse for future