A. The Quickly Disappearing Arctic Sea Icecap
One of the most amazing ramifications of global warming and climate change is well underway at the top of the world. While the melting of the icecap means less frequent and intense incursions of frigid Arctic airmasses into the northern US and Wyoming which pleases most people, the ecological consequences of this phenomena will be fatal to many species in the polar regions and the native peoples who rely on these animals for food. The Arctic Sea probably will mostly free of sea ice during most summers starting in 10-15 years and completely so before mid-century. Who would have thought that the Northwest Passage sought by so many explorers as we learned in history class would become a reality within our lifetime or shortly afterwards!
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/05/319/
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B. The New Fastest Growing city in the West
St. George, Utah, is experiencing rapid population growth with sizeable growth to continue well into the future. I wonder where they will find the water to support the population projected to be there in the not so distant future. And the ecological consequences of so many people being in an area where the surrounding landscape and territory is so unique, special, and particularly fragile is something that saddens many, including me.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_5598056
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C. The powerful impact of climate change on the West
This winter that just ended was a poor one for snowfall across most of the interior West as it has been for well over a decade. With water increasingly becoming a dwindling resource throughout this region, one can see some of the extreme measures various municipalities and governments will go to in order to secure a sure supply of the lifeblood of the West. The next version of the Water Wars is underway.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0405/p01s02-wogi.html
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