Practice Questions

Today, the Arctic is warming twice as fast as anywhere on earth and the sea ice there, is declining by more than 10% every 10 years. As this ice melts, darker patches of ocean start to emerge, eliminating the effect that previously cooled the poles, creating warmer air temperatures and in turn disrupting normal patterns of ocean circulation. Research shows the polar vortex is appearing outside of the Arctic more frequently because of changes to the jet stream, caused by a combination of warming air and ocean temperatures in the Arctic and the tropics.

The glacial melt we are witnessing today in Antarctic and Greenland is changing the circulation of the Atlantic Ocean and has been linked to collapse of fisheries in the Gulf of Maine and more destructive storms and hurricanes around the planet.

What happens in these places has consequences across the entire globe. As sea ice and glaciers melt and oceans warm, ocean currents will continue to disrupt weather patterns worldwide. Industries that thrive on vibrant fisheries will be affected as warmer waters change where and when fish spawn. Coastal communities will face billion-dollar disaster recovery bills as flooding becomes more frequent and storms become more intense. People are not the only ones impacted. In the Arctic, as sea ice melts, wildlife like walrus are losing their home and polar bears are spending more time on land, causing higher rates of conflict between people and bears.

Coastal communities faces billion-dollar disaster recovery bills.

Wildlife like walrus is losing their homes.

Polar bears is spending more time on land.

Ocean currents continue to disrupt weather patterns.

Collapse of fisheries in the Gulf of Maine

Due to warming in both the Arctic and the tropics affecting the jet stream.

Because of disruptions in marine ecosystems.

Because of increased snowfall in colder regions.

It forces humans to migrate to the Arctic, increasing contact with animals.

Wildlife populations grow, leading to food competition.

As sea ice melts, animals like polar bears move to land, increasing encounters with humans.

Melting ice makes it easier for people to hunt Arctic animals.

By triggering extreme weather and causing flooding.

Fish populations will increase dramatically.

Spawning times and locations of fish will change.

Environmental changes have limited impact on industries that depend on the ocean.

The changes mostly affect local tourism, not global industries.

Warming oceans and changing fish migration patterns threaten fishing industries.

Environmental changes are easily reversible through new technologies.

Challenger App

No.1 PSC Learning App