Complex Issues

Complex Issues in a Complex World
Emily Kermath
2/24/2010
Today the concept of global climate change is widely accepted. Even though some are still skeptical of the cause of this change, the observations and data showing the severity of these changes are undeniable. Melting ice caps, being the most severe change, cause the ocean levels to rise which lead to numerous problems including an altering habitat for arctic species, increase in extreme weather conditions such as tropical storms, and death of coral reefs. When educating the public on this issue the polar bear is often the mascot. The polar bear serves as a great representative for global warming because it possesses characteristics that attract public interest such as being powerful, unique, and playful. However, many species are suffering an equal amount but do not share the spotlight. In addition, only focusing on one species fails to show the devastation occurring as a whole ecosystem.
Due to low species diversity and complex trophic levels, the Arctic ecosystem is highly fragile. For example the polar bear is at the top of the food chain and depends almost solely on ringed seals for nutrition. These seals depend on the ice for survival, particularly for raising their young. A decrease in ringed seal populations force polar bears to scavenge for alternative food sources. Typically these alternatives do not contain the fat content required by polar bears to survive.
At the bottom of the trophic level are microscopic species that actually live in the ice. Bacteria, fungi, algae and other single and multi-celled organisms all depend on the ice for habitat and in turn create the basis for all other life in the arctic. Krill, along with other small organisms, feed heavily on these ice dwelling species. In addition to decreased food availability, melting ice caps produce more acidic seawater which prevents krill and other types of plankton from fully growing their shells. Therefore, the disappearance of ice creates a detrimental cascade along all trophic levels.
Again while a small few still may not agree that humans are the cause for global climate change, I am among the ones that do. And I am thankful for the support and awareness polar bears gather by serving as the poster child for global warming. It is incredibly worrisome to me that while the polar bears are starving before our eyes we continue to live our lives with no true regard for their survival. For example when new species are listed under the endangered species act critical habitats are established because it is recognized that a species cannot be preserved without the habitat in which it lives. Therefore, once a critical habitat is established it is illegal to “take” or in other words harm that species or its habitat. The polar bear, however, failed to receive this important element of protecting an endangered species. This is due to public interest and not biology. Almost everything we do in our everyday life is the direct cause of harm to the polar bear and its fellow arctic compatriots. Just by driving a car we would be violating the act.
Our desire to continue the lifestyle we live is causing other types of threats to the arctic other than loss of species. The melting ice caps have created more accessible arctic waters allowing multiple industries to expand from fishing, to oil drilling and gas development, and shipping. These are creating new international dilemmas because several countries have access to these areas. Pollution from these new developments and potential oil spills are now an additional threat to the already burdened arctic species. I guarantee these human related issues will be addressed more enthusiastically even though they are secondary results to a larger problem.
Obviously I don’t think driving or using electricity should be made illegal tomorrow in order to save this fragile ecosystem- there would be riots in the street. However, I think people need to realize the severity of our lifestyles and the implications our decisions have even if we cannot directly see them. Additionally we need a new way to educate people about this issue in a more holistic way.

Barcott, B. (2011, February). Retrieved February 2011, from On Earth: http://www.onearth.org/article/arctic-fever