Module VIII

Connection, connection, connections once again!!! Yes, climate, culture and now sea-ice are all connected. The cyroshpere is the Earth's surface that is frozen and 10% of the surface is ice. It serves as an integral part of the climate which contribute to the surface energy, precipitaion, atmosphere and ocean circulation around the Earth. Sea-ice which is different from icebergs and glacial ice because it is frozen ocean so it is salty sea-ice. Sea-ice data has indicated Arctic sea-ice has decreased 2.7% yearly compared to Antarctic ice-decreasing 1.3% yearly. This cooling of the Earth's surface, using the light wide-brimmed hat theory of comparing the areas of the ice caps of cooling areas and then the cooled air circulating to other areas of the Earth also the melting ice of the caps and circulating. www.iup.uni-bremen.de/seaice/amsr/

So connecting facts of Arctic ice melting, changing ice conditions and climate conditions these all contribute to shortage of sea mammals and plants and change in the Arctic environment. All these will affect cultures that depend on the Arctic environment for survival. Steve Maclean, an Inupiak Conservationist has been studying the changes and impact of the lose of sea-ice has had on the plants and animals. This will affect its people, he is trying to see what can be done as many scientists are.

Climate change and loss of sea-ice may also open the Arctic to new travel routes and open it up to extended oil/gas exploration.  With an increase in these areas more and new threats to marine animal and plant life is sure to develop.sciencedaily.com