Aug 27 2010
Biggest Environmental Problem
I think that the biggest environmental problem is the melting of the polar ice caps. This problem can lead to the destruction of habitats for many arctic animals, such as the polar bears, penguins, and seals. Also, it will cause our ocean water levels to rise all over the world, creating new shorelines and ending life as we know it.
You are correct that the loss of ice at the poles is occurring at a rapid pace, and it worries many scientists. You also have a common misconception or two about rising water levels and polar ice. Most of the current ocean level rise is due to the thermal expansion of the world’s oceans (as they warm). If polar ice melts, it would only raise ocean levels if that ice was on land (like at the S. Pole). Ice at the N. Pole is already in the water, and actually loses volume as it melts so it does not raise ocean levels. The N. Pole ice is like ice in a drink, it won’t overflow the glass as it melts.