Mysterious+Winds+Cause+Rapid+Melting+of+Antarctic+Ice 

[|Mysterious Winds Cause Rapid Melting of Antarctic Ice] National Geographic Accessed on November 15th, 2016

An intriguing development in the scientific world has come to light in February 2016. Erin Pettit, a glaciologist, and her team discovered that föhn winds are a major factor in the melting of Antarctic and Arctic glaciers. These previously overlooked winds are warm wind currents that result from small changes in the atmosphere due to climate change. Pettit and her team discovered this when they were caught in a nasty snowstorm. It was peculiar though, as the snow did not fall from the clouds above; instead, the snow was carried by the föhn winds from the glacier Pettit was studying. It appears that these winds have been ignored because they occur mainly in the harsh Arctic winters, a period of time that generally is too frosty and ouchy for scientists to study in. These winds overall have been contributing to the melting and collapse of glacial ice shelves which has been occurring since 1988. With the loss of two major glaciers (Larsen A and B), stabilizing snow shores have been rapidly decreasing, and now these winds are carrying even more of it away from the ice shelves. We must work to resolve our effects on Antarctica and the Arctic in order to preserve the glaciers.
 * __Summary:__**

__**Relevance to Course:**__ In our course, we have been observing the human impact on the environment. This includes climate change, which has been wildly fluctuating due to human activity. In this article, another discovery shows us how human activity is causing habitat degradation. There are specific sections on habitat fragmentation (Miller 145) and global warming/climate change (Miller 499) and the possible consequences of global warming (Miller 512). There are also more positive notes on how we are now using conservation biology to try and preserve the lives of organisms and their environments (Miller 242).

__**Opinion:**__ As a whole, humans must make a larger effort to control climate change so we do not lose these essential environments. The long-term effects will be devastating for all inhabitants on the planet and the collective effort we are making right now for the preservation of Earth is not enough (as we can observe from the evidence of ecosystems collapsing, like the glaciers). Our legislation should start listening more to environmental scientists in order to help pass laws to preserve the planet.

__**Law:**__ The law that relates most to this environmental issue is the //Antarctica Conservation Law of 1978.// It was established as a national law that makes it illegal for people (without a permit) to introduce illegal organisms, and pollutants into the environment. This was passed in order to preserve the Antarctica ecosystems. The part that prohibits the release of pollutants and excess carbon dioxide into the area, which will help with regulating climate change.