notboronscience

[notboronscience]

INTRO

The three SDGS chosen are Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable; and Goal 12: ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. In terms of CONNECTIONS, the first SDG, Goal 6, clearly connects to this course because chemical processes affect the quality and sustainability of drinking water. The second SDG, Goal 11, clearly connects to this course because chemical processes are also used to ensure cities and their activities (Ex. transportation) are sustainable and environmentally friendly by reducing their impact on the environment. The third and last SDG I chose, Goal 12, clearly connects to this course because there are many regulations on products of chemical processes to ensure sustainable consumption and production. The SIX ITEMS I have chosen to analyze are chloramination, coagulation, hydrogen fuel cells, trees, the Montréal Protocol, and plastic consumption bans. From those six items, my Canadian connections are hydrogen fuel cells and the Montréal Protocol.

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#1: Chloramination

SDG:#6

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Connected to Big Ideas: C1, E1

Chloramine treatment facility (City of Markham, n.d)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: 

Chloramination is a process that has been used for over a century and is also the disinfection process used by the City of Toronto. Dr John Leal created the process in 1908, which led to a rapid decrease in deaths from waterborne diseases. Unlike chlorination, chloramination adds chlorine and small amounts of ammonia to water during the treatment process to form chloramine, a disinfectant. This kills microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and algae and leaves behind disinfected water (City of Markham, 2020).

Chloramination is used by the City of Toronto (where Markham gets their water from) because it is more effective and lasts longer in the distribution system. When the water travels from Toronto to Markham, it is more resistant to any contamination (City of Markham, n.d).

Chloramination utilizes a double displacement (acid-base) reaction where NH3 is a base and HOCl is the acid and they react to form chloramine and water.

IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT: 

Chloramination creates less trihalomethanes (Hood, 2005) and haloacetic acids than chlorine. They result in higher risk of cancer after prolonged exposure at high levels (Iowa Gov, n.d). Thus, chloramination has a positive effect on human health. In terms of environmental impact, chloramines have negative effects on aquatic life. Chloramines are toxic to aquatic organisms and may result in death after exposure (SFPUC, 2013).

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#2: Coagulation

SDG: #6

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Connected to Big Ideas: C1, E1

(Turner et al., 2019)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Coagulation is a process used by the City of Toronto and many other water treatment systems. A coagulant, usually a heavy metal, is added to water coming out of intake pipes to separate microscopic suspended solids.

Suspended solids are usually negative as the phosphate group has a larger partial negative charge. Thus, the coagulant has a positive charge to neutralize the suspended solids. ‘Spongy’ sludge pieces that can be separated from the water more easily are created (City of Markham, 2020).

Some common coagulants are aluminum sulfate, ferric sulfate, and ferric chloride (Hancock, 2018). Here is one example reaction for coagulation with aluminum sulfate, highlighted is the ‘suspended solids’ intended to be coagulated:

Word equation: aluminum sulfate + calcium bicarbonate → aluminum hydroxide + calcium sulfate + carbon dioxide

IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT/HUMAN HEALTH:

Although coagulation improves the safety of our drinking water, there are still some negative environmental impacts from coagulants. The sludge created from coagulation can make up to 0.5% of the volume of treated water. This sludge is typically hazardous and at a high volume, can be costly to dispose of properly. Without proper disposal, the metal hydroxides in the sludge are caustic (at a pH of 10 or higher), meaning it is corrosive to organic tissue (Water Online, 2019).

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#3 Trees

SDG: #11

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable

Connected to Big Ideas: C1, F1

(Edmond, 2017)

IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT/HUMAN HEALTH:

Planting of trees has been known to be able to cut urban air pollution. Not only do trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air, trees also improve the sustainability of cities and human settlements by shading buildings and reducing the need for air conditioning. This means less fossil fuel consumption as trees can cool the air between 2-8 degrees Celsius, reducing the need for cooling (Kinver, 2016).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Using the energy of the sun, trees absorb carbon dioxide and water to convert into chemical compounds (ex. Sugars that feed the tree). The by-product of the endothermic chemical reaction is oxygen. In addition, trees store carbon dioxide in their fibers (Stancil, 2019).

IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT: 

Asides from positive environmental effects, there are some considerations that have to be made when planting trees. For one, a canopy that is too thick may prevent cool air from reaching the shaded area. Another consideration is tree placement: trees shading buildings in the Winter increase the need for energy during those colder months. Overall, there are many benefits to planting more trees but several considerations must be made for maximum environmental benefits (Nowak, 2002).

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#4: Hydrogen Fuel Cells in Automobiles

SDG: #11

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable

Connected to Big Ideas: C1, F1

(USDE, n.d)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: 

Hydrogen fuel cells are an invention used by the space industry. In space, hydrogen and oxygen gas are burnt so water is created as a by-product astronauts can drink.

FIRST CANADIAN CONNECTION:

Companies like Ballard Power Systems Inc. located in Vancouver, BC are working to use fuel cells for automobiles. (An example of making cities more sustainable through innovation in transportation) (Clancy, 2011)

Fuel cells utilize a double displacement reaction between coal or a hydrocarbon and water to produce the hydrogen gas needed and carbon dioxide. In this balanced equation, I will be using methane (CH4) as an example.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:

Although fuel cells themselves are non-polluting because water is the only product (BBC, 2020), creating the hydrogen gas needed creates a lot of CO2 pollution. CO2 affects the environment negatively by contributing to the greenhouse effect, climate change, and acid rain (Rogers, 2018).

For now, the energy used to produce hydrogen is similar to the energy hydrogen provides (Mott, n.d). Fuel cells are currently less long-lasting than petrol/diesel engines and expensive but with continued development, hydrogen fuel cells may become more efficient and practical for use in everyday life (BBC, 2020).

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#5: Montréal Protocol

SDG: #12

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Connected to Big Ideas: B1, C1, F1

“The Antarctic hole is stabilizing and may be slowly recovering.” (NASA, n.d)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In the 1970’s, the detrimental effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) began to surface. Up in the atmosphere, CFCs would break apart into chlorine atoms after exposure to high levels of UV radiation and destroy ozone molecules (Clancy, 2011).

Afterwards, the following reactions occur:

(chlorine reacts with ozone to form chlorine monoxide and oxygen)

(The product of the previous reaction, chlorine monoxide, reacts with another molecule of oxygen, releasing chlorine that can further ‘destroy’ ozone molecules) (Brenna & Bressa., 2015)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: 

The cycle of chlorine atoms destroying ozone molecules continues. One chlorine atom can destroy thousands of ozone molecules, resulting in the depletion of the ozone layer. Although CFCs aren’t the only contributing substances, they are the most abundant. As the hole in the ozone layer increases, more UV radiation can reach the earth. This increases the risks of skin cancer (EPA, 2018) and negatively affects atmospheric circulation (NASA, n.d).

Second CANADIAN CONNECTION:

To combat the effects of CFCs, the Montréal Protocol was signed. This 1987 international agreement meant to phase out the use of CFCs by 2000 in developed countries (Clancy, 2011). In 2016, the Kigali Amendment was adopted to phase out the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) worldwide. HFCs are a widely used alternative to CFCs (U.S Department of State, 2021).

[notboronscience]

#6: Plastic Consumption Bans

SDG: #12

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Connected to Big Ideas: B1, C1

CBC ARTICLE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Plastics are made of long molecular chains called “polymers”, which are made of smaller molecular units called monomers. Plastics are synthetic polymers while natural polymers include cellulose and DNA.

In 2018, the two most common synthetic polymers, polyethylene and polypropylene, (NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers, n.d) made up 30% and 19% of the world’s plastic production of 359 million tonnes, respectively (CS3, 2020).

Polyethylene is created through the polymerization of ethylene (Encylopaedia Britannica, n.d). Polypropylene, similarly, is created through the polymerization of propylene (Encylopaedia Britannica, n.d).

(Sharpe, 2015)

IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT/HUMAN HEALTH: 

In 2019, the production, management, and incineration of plastics resulted in 860 million tonnes of CO2 (and other equivalent greenhouse gases) being released into the atmosphere. By 2030, the annual emissions are expected to rise to 1.34 billion tonnes (CS3, 2020). CO2 emissions are already known for perpetuating climate change. In addition, some plastics contain chemicals harmful to human health by altering hormones or animal development and reproduction (Knoblauch, 2020).

To ensure sustainable consumption and production, countries have been enforcing bans on single-use plastics (Ex. bans on shopping bags and single-use straws). Namely, the EU is calling for 90% of plastic bottles to be recycled by 2025 and India is planning to eliminate all single-use plastic by 2022. These efforts are all to curb the damaging effects of plastics (Howard et al., 2019).

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Conclusion

INSIGHT: From this project, I learned more about the scope of chemical processes around us and how they can have an incredible positive impact or affect us and the environment negatively. From CFCs to chloramination to synthetic polymers, chemical innovation is all around us. I also learned that products, items, and innovations don’t necessarily have a positive or negative impact, it’s not an either or. Meaning, there are considerations that have to be made with any choice involving our health and the environment. For example, coagulation helps ensure the safety of our drinking water but at the cost of producing high volumes of hazardous sludge. Lastly, I learned that although we aren’t behind the chemical processes and cannot work to make them sustainable (for now), we can control our consumption of certain products like single-use plastics.

OPINION ON SDGs: In terms of SDGs, I believe that a world where the SDGs are realized will provide a valuable and happy life for future generations, for our grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and beyond. When all SDGs are fulfilled, I believe the world would be a place of equity and environmental calm. But first, action must be taken, starting with ourselves.

PROMOTING SDGs: I can promote SDGs in my own life by taking responsibility for actions I can control. In turn, this can influence others to follow the same positive footsteps. The first action I could take is using a reusable water bottle whenever I go out instead of plastic bottles, using reusable straws instead of single-use straws, and bringing a tote bag when I go grocery shopping. This helps promote SDG #12 by ensuring more sustainable consumption. The second action I could take is participating in community tree-plantings like I used to as a child. This helps promote #11 (sustainable cities) by working together to help make Markham a greener, more sustainable city.

[notboronscience]

References List

Aiello, R. (2020, October 7). Canada banning plastic bags, straws, cutlery and other single-use items by the end of 2021. CTVNews. https://www.ctvnews.ca/climate-and-environment/canada-banning-plastic-bags-straws-cutlery-and-other-single-use-items-by-the-end-of-2021-1.5135968.

Brenna, L., & Bressa, R. (2015, September 16). How do CFCs destroy the ozone layer? LifeGate. https://www.lifegate.com/how-cfcs-destroy-ozone-layer.

City of Markham. (2020). Markham Water Virtual Presentation. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D6SvCtImOmgsZCN6SPtDXgLCqV8bNitC/view. 

City of Markham. (n.d.). Drinking Water Treatment. https://www.markham.ca/wps/portal/home/neighbourhood-services/water-sewer/systems-overview/02-drinking-water-treatment.

Clancy, C. (2001). McGraw-Hill Ryerson chemistry 11. Whitby, Ont: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

CS3. (2020). (rep.). Science to enable sustainable plastics. Retrieved from rsc.li/progressive-plastics-report

Edmond, C. (2017, July 4). Welcome to China's urban forest. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/07/welcome-to-china-s-urban-forest/.

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Polyethylene. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/polyethylene.

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Polypropylene. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/polypropylene.

EPA. (2018, September 24). Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/health-and-environmental-effects-ozone-layer-depletion.

Hancock, N. (2018, August 15). Conventional Water Treatment: Coagulation and Filtration. Safe Drinking Water Foundation. https://www.safewater.org/fact-sheets-1/2017/1/23/conventional-water-treatment.

Hood, E. (2005). Tap Water and Trihalomethanes: Flow of Concerns Continues. Environmental Health Perspectives, 113(7). https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.113-a474

Howard, B. C., Gibbens, S., Zachos, E., & Parker, L. (2019, June 10). A running list of action on plastic pollution. Environment. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/ocean-plastic-pollution-solutions.

Iowa Gov. (n.d.). Environment. Iowa Public Health Tracking Portal. https://tracking.idph.iowa.gov/Environment/Public-Drinking-Water/Public-Water-and-Health/HAA5-in-Public-Water-and-Health.

Knoblauch, J. A. (2020, April 9). High BPA and phthalate exposure by premature infants in neonatal intensive care units is 'of great concern'. EHN. https://www.ehn.org/plastic-environmental-impact-2501923191/high-bpa-and-phthalate-exposure-by-premature-infants-in-neonatal-intensive-care-units-is-of-great-concern.

Mott, V. (n.d.). Introduction to Chemistry. Lumen. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem/chapter/fuel-cells/.

NASA. (n.d.). Is the ozone hole causing climate change? – Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. NASA. https://climate.nasa.gov/faq/15/is-the-ozone-hole-causing-climate-change/.

NASA. (n.d.). Watching the Ozone Hole Before and After the Montreal Protocol. NASA. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/79198/watching-the-ozone-hole-before-and-after-the-montreal-protocol.

Nowak, D. J. (2002). The Effects of Urban Trees on Air Quality. https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/units/urban/local-resources/downloads/Tree_Air_Qual.pdf. 

NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers. (n.d.). Sustainable Polymers 101. NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers. https://csp.umn.edu/sustainable-polymers-101/#1611955710708-2d8d7b8b-a4bc.

Rogers, C. D. (2019, March 2). The Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Air Pollution. Sciencing. https://sciencing.com/list-5921485-effects-carbon-dioxide-air-pollution.html.

SFPUC. (2013, June 29). Questions About Animals and Environment. https://www.sfwater.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=4133#:~:text=A%3A%20Fish%20and%20other%20aquatic,salmon%20in%2096%20hour%20studies. 

Sharpe, P. (2015, September). Making Plastics: From Monomer to Polymer. AIChE. https://www.aiche.org/resources/publications/cep/2015/september/making-plastics-monomer-polymer.

Stancil, J. M. (2019, June 3). The Power of One Tree - The Very Air We Breathe. USDA. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2015/03/17/power-one-tree-very-air-we-breathe.

Turner, Tomi & Oliver, Ian. (2019). Potential Alternative Reuse Pathways for Water TreatmentResiduals: Remaining Barriers and Questions—a Review. Water Air and Soil Pollution. 230. 10.1007/s11270-019-4272-0. 

U.S. Department of State. (2021, January 5). The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer - United States Department of State. U.S. Department of State. https://www.state.gov/key-topics-office-of-environmental-quality-and-transboundary-issues/the-montreal-protocol-on-substances-that-deplete-the-ozone-layer/.

USDE. (n.d.). How Do Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Work Using Hydrogen? Alternative Fuels Data Center: How Do Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Work Using Hydrogen? https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/how-do-fuel-cell-electric-cars-work.

Water Online. (2019). 7 Common Pitfalls When Choosing A Chemical Coagulation Water Treatment System To Treat Your Water. https://www.wateronline.com/doc/common-pitfalls-when-chemical-coagulation-water-treatment-to-treat-your-water-0001.

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STOP! that is the end, below is my SNC2DG climate change project

[notboronscience]

What is the melting of ice caps? First of all, ice caps are thick layers of ice and snow that cover large areas of land, usually found in the Earth’s North and South poles. Melting of ice caps is caused by human activities that contribute to global warming and climate change. Ice caps are rapidly melting due to higher temperatures caused by more carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions. Not only does increased amounts of melting ice cause higher sea levels, ice itself serves as a habitat for animals like Arctic foxes and polar bears. Additionally, ice is used for ice roads in Newfoundland and in particular areas of Canada and around the world.

Source: Vox

Where? Specifically, we will be focusing on the effects of melting ice caps in Newfoundland. In this area, the Labrador Current carries ice south to the Grand Banks during the fall and winter. As we learned in ‘Factors that Affect Climate Change’, ocean currents [LOWERN] affects climate change. In shallow areas of the continental shelf, we can find many icebergs. Recently, icebergs have been used commercially for iceberg-viewing has become popular for tourists.

Map of Grand Banks and the continental shelf, Source: MUNCL

Diagram of Labrador Current, Source: MUNCL

Source: Patten’s website

What’s going on? The area is facing a shift in climate, as it is quickly becoming warmer and warmer. Some examples are melting glaciers, rapid growing vegetation, and changing terrestrial biomes. In addition, polar bear sightings have moved south, closer to habited areas where humans and polar bears pose a risk to each other. Nunatsiavut is an Inuit self-governing territory in Newfoundland and Labrador who heavily depend on sea ice as a mode of transportation and for hunting. The change in climate has been well noticed by Inuit elders. Typically, Nunatsiavut are dependent on sea ice for around 6 months a year. Unfortunately, polar bears and animals are not the only lives affected. Human lives have been lost because of decreased predictability in ice and snow cover.

Source: Caitlyn Baikie

Another effect of warming temperature are increased amounts of Arctic sea ice moving to Newfoundland and the East Coast, carried south by the Labrador Current.

References

[notboronscience]

Why is it happening?  The varying problems the area is facing makes it seem rather confusing- how is sea ice melting while more is coming in, and how does this pose a problem? Firstly, more and more ice is melting because the climate is getting warmer. As mentioned before in ‘What’s Going On’, this has many negative impacts to people and the environment. The root cause of this problem is warming temperatures, clearly linked to global warming.

On the other hand, changes in ocean and atmospheric circulation (ocean currents) caused by global warming makes sea ice more mobile. Ice arches and channels that usually block such high amounts of ice from entering have been melting lately, meaning higher amounts of icebergs come into the area. This poses another problem, as ice native to Newfoundland melts while unexpected patterns of sea ice com from the North. The unpredictability of sea ice coming in poses a threat to transportation ships and fleets.

Source: David G. Barber

Depicting where the ice travels to and from, Source: Mapswire

Why is it a problem?  Melting sea ice is a problem as it forces polar bears to shift towards habited areas, a danger to humans and polar bears. Transportation modes (ex. Ice roads) also melt, creating a safety threat. In the long term (<80 years), a rapid decrease in icebergs will occur. With more ice caps melting, sea levels will continue to rise. In Newfoundland, millions of people live within one metre of sea level, meaning a best case scenario rise of one metre will still displace many. While we are not only negatively affecting the climate, we are affecting Inuits who have long lived in the area. The land, the sea, and the climate defines their culture, and changes in climate heavily alters their culture. For example, oil spills and conflicts over abilities to hunt on foods they are reliant on (ex. seal).

Polar Bear on coast of northern Labrador and Inuit elders hunting Source: Caitlyn Baikie

Effects on Indigenous Increasingly warm winter seasons impact the infrastructure of Indigenous communities. Not only are roads melting, energy production is threatened because of changes in water flow and transportation. Extreme weather events due to climate change and global warming impact water quality. 

Another problem that stems from melting ice is an increase in shipping routes in some areas. From an economic point of view, more shipping routes allow for more business. Unfortunately, security of First Nations is threatened as shipping routes have major implications on traditional land and natural resources. 

While an increase in shipping routes from mobile ice may be economically beneficial but a danger to First Nations, it is also a problem because mobile ice results in unpredictable patches of ice. This results in more ships, vessels, and boats trapped although in the short term there may appear to be an increase in ice caps and glaciers. 

Source: David G. Barber

References

[notboronscience]

How are we contributing to melting of ice caps?  As mentioned in ‘Why is it happening’, global warming is linked to all the problems. Warming is mainly caused by putting too much carbon in the atmosphere when we burn coal, oil, and gas. 

The beginning of the industrial era marks the beginning of a turning point where CO2 emissions increase drastically. Pre-industrial, the concentration of CO2 was ~280 parts per million (ppm). In 2017, this number was 400 ppm, a number we will never be able to dip below again. Drivers behind this number include climate change from emissions from cars and power plants, volcanic events, human-made pollution, and more. Fossil fuels create pollution because when burned, particles like soot (black carbon) are emitted and absorb sunlight, raise temperatures, and release CO2. 

Source: Union of Concerned Scientists

Greenhouse gases and higher amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere raise temperatures, especially in the poles, resulting in ice caps quickly melting. When ice caps melt, it lowers surface albedo and reveals a darker ocean that absorbs more heat from the Sun, known as Arctic Amplification. As more heat is being absorbed, Arctic Amplification only increases the speed and intensity of ice caps melting. 

Source: Earth News

Unfortunately, big companies are responsible for 70% or more of global greenhouse gas emissions. This means individually, we are contributing an immensely tiny amount but should still try our best to eat less meat, carpool and bike when possible, and carry out other actions.

References

[notboronscience]

Technological Advancements One geoengineering technological advancement to save melting ice caps involves building huge walls to prevent warm ocean water from melting the ocean-facing edges. Warm water causes the base of glaciers to melt and become unstable. Therefore, blocking the flow of water helps reduce the melt rate. This advancement of technology mainly helps by giving more time to people living in vulnerable areas to relocate or build more effective sea walls, or find better solutions to global warming. There is debate on whether attacking the problem at its source is more effective than directly using the money to find long term ways of lowering greenhouse gas emissions. 

Source: The Cryosphere

Source: European Union for Geosciences

References

[notboronscience]

Potential Biases in this report, the writers from the Union of Concerned Scientists explain how humans are the major cause of global warming. Since I know it comes from the Union of Concerned Scientists, research they select to use may be geared towards their goals. Looking at their mission, UCSCA is a nonprofit aiming to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future (mainly goals like combating climate change, sustainable transportation and power, making science accessible, etc.) Therefore, information may be biased to show we are the main cause of climate change, although beneficial to the world.

Some of the sources I used were from highly reputable organizations, such as WWF and NASA created for the main purpose of educating the masses. These sources should be accurate, reliable, and unbiased. 

Another source I used was an article from Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador. There are little openings for bias, because facts presented are mainly informational content on Newfoundland and Labrador. While it may not be biased, information might be slightly outdated as it was last updated 2014. 

The NBC News article with the purpose of presenting a plan for global warming technological advancements is relevant to the project, has reliable and unbiased information from professionals and studies, and is unbiased as it presents both sides of the debate fairly. 

Lastly, I sourced a report prepared by the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources for the Assembly of First Nations. I recognize that information chosen to be used in the report may be slightly biased as it used to bring forth climate change from the perspective of First Nations. 

References

[notboronscience]

What is the melting of ice caps? First of all, ice caps are thick layers of ice and snow that cover large areas of land, usually found in the Earth’s North and South poles. Melting of ice caps is caused by human activities that contribute to global warming and climate change. Ice caps are rapidly melting due to higher temperatures caused by more carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions. Not only does increased amounts of melting ice cause higher sea levels, ice itself serves as a habitat for animals like Arctic foxes and polar bears. Additionally, ice is used for ice roads in Newfoundland and in particular areas of Canada and around the world. 

Where? Specifically, we will be focusing on the effects of melting ice caps in Newfoundland. In this area, the Labrador Current carries ice south to the Grand Banks during the fall and winter. As we learned in ‘Factors that Affect Climate Change’, ocean currents [LOWERN] affects climate change. In shallow areas of the continental shelf, we can find many icebergs. Recently, icebergs have been used commercially for iceberg-viewing has become popular for tourists. 

What’s going on? The area is facing a shift in climate, as it is quickly becoming warmer and warmer. Some examples are melting glaciers, rapid growing vegetation, and changing terrestrial biomes. In addition, polar bear sightings have moved south, closer to habited areas where humans and polar bears pose a risk to each other. Nunatsiavut is an Inuit self-governing territory in Newfoundland and Labrador who heavily depend on sea ice as a mode of transportation and for hunting. The change in climate has been well noticed by Inuit elders. Typically, Nunatsiavut are dependent on sea ice for around 6 months a year. Unfortunately, polar bears and animals are not the only lives affected. Human lives have been lost because of decreased predictability in ice and snow cover. 

Another effect of warming temperature are increased amounts of Arctic sea ice moving to Newfoundland and the East Coast, carried south by the Labrador Current. Why is it happening? The varying problems the area is facing makes it seem rather confusing- how is sea ice melting while more is coming in, and how does this pose a problem? Firstly, more and more ice is melting because the climate is getting warmer. As mentioned before in ‘What’s Going On’, this has many negative impacts to people and the environment. The root cause of this problem is warming temperatures, clearly linked to global warming.

On the other hand, changes in ocean and atmospheric circulation (ocean currents) caused by global warming makes sea ice more mobile. Ice arches and channels that usually block such high amounts of ice from entering have been melting lately, meaning higher amounts of icebergs come into the area. This poses another problem, as while the warmer climate means ice roads melting and less sea ice, it also means unexpected patterns of sea ice coming from the North. The unpredictability of sea ice coming in poses a threat to transportation ships and fleets. Why is it a problem? Melting sea ice is a problem as it forces polar bears to shift towards habited areas, a danger to humans and polar bears. Transportation modes (ex. Ice roads) also melt, creating a safety threat. In the long term (<80 years), a rapid decrease in icebergs will occur. With more ice caps melting, sea levels will continue to rise. In Newfoundland, millions of people live within one metre of sea level, meaning a best case scenario rise of one metre will displace many. For example, oil spills and conflicts over abilities to hunt on foods they are reliant on (ex. seal). While we are not only negatively affecting the climate, we are affecting Inuits who have long lived in the area. The land, the sea, and the climate defines their culture, and changes in climate heavily alters their culture. Effects on Indigenous Increasingly warm winter seasons impact the infrastructure of Indigenous communities. Not only are roads melting, energy production is threatened because of changes in water flow and transportation. Extreme weather events due to climate change and global warming impact water quality. 

Another problem that stems from melting ice in some areas creates an increase in shipping routes. From an economic point of view, more shipping routes allow for more business. Unfortunately, security of First Nations is threatened as shipping routes have major implications on traditional land and natural resources. 

While an increase in shipping routes from mobile ice may be economically beneficial but a danger to First Nations, it is also a problem because mobile ice results in unpredictable patches of ice. This results in more ships, vessels, and boats trapped in ice. In the short term, there may be an increase in ice caps and glaciers. 

How are we contributing to melting of ice caps? As mentioned in ‘Why is it happening’, global warming is linked to all the problems. Warming is mainly caused by putting too much carbon in the atmosphere when we burn coal, oil, and gas. 

The beginning of the industrial era marks the beginning of a turning point where CO2 emissions increase drastically. Pre-industrial, the concentration of CO2 was ~280 parts per million (ppm). In 2017, this number was 400 ppm, a number we will never be able to dip below again. Drivers behind this number include climate change include emissions from cars and power plants, volcanic events, human-made pollution, and more. Fossil fuels burned emit particles like soot (black carbon) that absorb sunlight and raise temperatures in addition to releasing CO2. 

Greenhouse gases and higher amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere raise temperatures, especially in the poles, resulting in ice caps quickly melting. When ice caps melt, it lowers surface albedo and reveals a darker ocean that absorbs more heat from the Sun, known as Arctic Amplification. As more heat is being absorbed, Arctic Amplification only increases the speed and intensity of ice caps melting. Unfortunately, big companies are responsible for 70% or more of global greenhouse gas emissions. This means individually, we are contributing an immensely tiny amount but should still try our best to eat less meat, carpool and bike when possible, and carry out other actions.

Technological advancements One geoengineering technological advancement to save melting ice caps involves building huge walls to prevent warm ocean water from melting the ocean-facing edges. Warm water causes the base of glaciers to melt and become unstable. Therefore, blocking the flow of water helps reduce the melt rate. This advancement of technology mainly helps by giving more time to people living in vulnerable areas to relocate or build more effective sea walls, or find better solutions to global warming. There is debate on whether attacking the problem at its source is more effective than directly using the money to find long term ways of lowering greenhouse gas emissions. 

Potential Biases In this report, the writers from the Union of Concerned Scientists explain how humans are the major cause of global warming. Since I know it comes from the Union of Concerned Scientists, research they select to use may be geared towards their goals. Looking at their mission, UCSCA is a nonprofit aiming to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future (mainly goals like combating climate change, sustainable transportation and power, making science accessible, etc.) Therefore, information may be biased to show we are the main cause of climate change, although beneficial to the world. Some of the sources I used were from highly reputable organizations, such as WWF and NASA created for the main purpose of educating masses. These sources should be accurate, reliable, and unbiased. 

Another source I used was an article from Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador. There are little openings for bias, because facts presented are mainly informational content on Newfoundland and Labrador. While it may not be biased, information might be slightly outdated as it was last updated 2014. 

The NBC News article with the purpose of presenting two plans for global warming technological advancements is relevant to the project, has reliable and unbiased information from professionals and studies, and is unbiased as it presents both sides of the debate fairly. 

Lastly, I sourced a report prepared by the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources for the Assembly of First Nations. I recognize that information chosen to be used in the report may be slightly biased as it used to bring forth climate change from the perspective of First Nations. 

References

[notboronscience]

References

Baikie, C. (2012, September 27). Climate Science Glossary. Retrieved from https://skepticalscience.com/Inuit-Climate-Change.html

Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources. (2006, March). How Climate Change Uniquely Impacts the Physical, Social, and Cultural Aspects of First Nations. Retrieved from http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/env/report_2_cc_uniquely_impacts_physical_social_and_cultural_aspects_final_001.pdf

Cox, D. (2018, May 29). Two audacious plans for saving the world's ice sheets. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/can-these-bold-plans-keep-world-s-ice-sheets-melting-ncna877616

Hancock, L. (n.d.). Why are glaciers and sea ice melting? Retrieved from https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/why-are-glaciers-and-sea-ice-melting

Macpherson, J. (1997). Cold Ocean. Retrieved from https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/environment/cold-ocean.php

O'Neill-Yates, C. (2019, July 02). Icebergs moving from Greenland to Newfoundland expected to slow dramatically by century's end, researcher says. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/greenland-icebergs-nl-end-of-century-1.5192593

Scott, M., & Hansen, K. (2016, September 16). Sea Ice. Retrieved from https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/SeaIce

UCSUSA. (2017, August 1). How Do We Know that Humans Are the Major Cause of Global Warming? Retrieved from https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/are-humans-major-cause-global-warming

UM Today Staff. (2018, March 19). Arctic sea ice becoming a spring hazard for North Atlantic ships. Retrieved from https://news.umanitoba.ca/arctic-sea-ice-becoming-a-spring-hazard-for-north-atlantic-ships/