Jennifer Moore Perspectives in Natural Science
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Perspectives in Natural Science
Jennifer Moore
Southern New Hampshire University
Professor Clinton Hull
April 16, 2022
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Researchers say the present climate assessment underestimates the costs of global
warming in the north because of its reliance on a flawed methodology. According to the
research, the Arctic is warming at a rate four times greater than the global average. Contrary to
popular belief, it is four times as fast as the competition. Arctic amplification is a well-
documented fact among climate scientists that the northern reaches of the globe warm up quicker
than the rest (Change, 2018). In addition to the increased solar heating caused by dark ocean
water replacing reflecting sea ice, "atmospheric rivers," narrow marches of dense clouds that
push water vapor north, also play a role in amplifying the warming trend.
Two factors have led to an underestimation of Arctic warming. A second is the
inclination of climate experts to divide the globe into thirds and name the area above 60°N as the
"Arctic," which would encompass most of Scandinavia. The Arctic is determined by the tilt of
Earth's axis. The Arctic Circle is a line that begins at latitude 66.6 degrees north, as has been
known for ages. "You're diluting the amount of Arctic warming you're getting," Jacobs adds
when researchers lump in the lower latitudes. "That's no small matter.
Prior and desired knowledge
My understanding of arctic warming is that it is only happening twice as quickly as the
rest of the world. This notion, however, has been disproven by this research. I'd like to learn
more about how these quick temperature shifts affect us. Churchill, Manitoba is a small town
located at the confluence of tundra, woodland, freshwater, and marine ecosystems in Canada's
Hudson Bay lowlands. For its annual migration of around 1,000 polar bears, Churchill has been
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dubbed the "polar bear capital of the world." These gigantic predators congregate while they wait
for the Hudson Bay sea ice to freeze so they can begin their seal hunt.
Thousands of beluga whales migrate through the Bay in the summer, right after the
breeding season ends. All summer long, they graze on capelin in river mouths and coastal areas,
and then return to Hudson Strait and the North Atlantic to breed. A birdwatcher's paradise,
Churchill has more than 250 kinds of birds that nest or travel through the area each year.
Scientific approach
A comparative analysis design is used in this study's scientific methodology.
Temperature patterns around the globe are examined by researchers. The study proposes ongoing
monitoring of temperature fluctuation and consideration of the increasing temperature trend to
reduce the negative health effects of rising temperatures.
Part 2:
The arctic amplification rate is times as quick as the rest of the globe, is this accurate?
Hypothesis
Null: Arctic amplification is not two times faster than elsewhere in the planet.
Alternative: It is accurate to say that the arctic is amplifying at a rate two times quicker
than the rest of the planet.
Personal beliefs, assumptions, and values influenced
My theory is shaped by the way I think and observe the world around me. Rather than
relying on my own prejudices, I must instead rely on the evidence provided by science.
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Part 3: Major Developments in the Natural Sciences
The public's perception of global warming has altered substantially because of the study's
rejection of earlier arctic amplification theories, according to the authors. In addition, this
discovery opens new paths for further investigation into global warming and its causes.
Americans appear to be more distrustful of climate experts, however. Only a third of the
public give’s climate scientists’ high grades for their understanding of climate change, and even
fewer say climate scientists understand the best approaches to deal with climate change.
Only a small portion of the population in the United States believes that climate scientists
base their results on the most current and comprehensive scientific information. Climate research
is also influenced by other, more negative, forces, according to a majority of those polled. Trust
in climate scientists varies greatly depending on one's political leanings, as does their credibility
(Bein et al, 2020). Liberal Democrats place a lot greater faith in climate scientists' knowledge of
the problem and their willingness to share complete and accurate information about it.
Contributions of a scientist
Several researchers believe that the amplification of the Arctic may have been
overestimated in the past. In the opinion of NASA's peer reviewers, the Arctic is warming at a
far slower rate than the rest of the earth. Our understanding of the Arctic and global warming has
shifted significantly as a result of their study.
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Researchers are concerned about the changes in the Arctic because they could have a
negative feedback effect, which could lead to even more warming in the future. Areas of black
open water can absorb more sunlight as the white sea ice melts in the summer. As a result, the
ice continues to melt at a faster rate. As sea ice melts away, the Arctic continues to heat up. Also,
permafrost may be implicated. Plants and animals that had been frozen in the earth begin to
decompose as the permafrost thaws. To add to the warming of the atmosphere, they produce
carbon dioxide and methane when they decompose. The brightness of the Arctic's surface is also
affected by the shifting flora, which in turn effects warming. An major greenhouse gas will be
able to accumulate in the Arctic atmosphere as it warms.
Ethical issue
In my opinion, there are no ethical difficulties with this topic. In any case, I've discovered
a few reasons why scientists previously misconstrued the previous and came to the incorrect
conclusion. The weakening of northern hemisphere west-to-east jet streams is a major result of
Arctic amplification. Because the Arctic is warming quicker than the tropics, there is less of a
pressure differential there, which in turn leads in less wind. Some scientists believe that an
increase in Arctic amplification, as well as slowing or meandering jet streams, blocking highs,
and extreme weather in the mid to high latitudes of the northern hemisphere, are linked. If the
link is true, it could explain why recent extreme summer heat and winter cold have occurred. For
the mid-latitudes, however, recent research has cast doubt on the veracity of these correlations.
Part 4: The Value of Studying the Natural Sciences
Numerous factors make the Arctic so important. Not only is it home to the world's most
famous polar bear and four million people, but it also plays an important role in maintaining the
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global climate's equilibrium. An enormous white reflector at the top of the world, the Arctic sea
ice, helps maintain the Earth's temperature consistent. However, man-made climate change has
caused the Arctic to warm more than twice as much as the global average over the previous few
decades. More heat is being absorbed by the ocean as the sea ice melts, increasing the warming
effect. Additionally, the Arctic Ocean serves as a conduit for global ocean currents, transporting
both cold and warm water.
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References
Change, P. C. (2018). Global warming of 1.5 C.DWorld Meteorological Organization,
Geneva, Switzerland,D10.
Zandalinas, S. I., Fritschi, F. B., & Mittler, R. (2021). Global warming, climate change,
and environmental pollution: recipe for a multifactorial stress combination disaster.DTrends in
Plant Science,D26(6), 588-599.
Bein, T., Karagiannidis, C., & Quintel, M. (2020). Climate change, global warming, and
intensive care.DIntensive Care Medicine,D46(3), 485-487.
