The Ice is melting, and We are in for some Unsettling Surprises
Frozen landscape image by Finmiki
The words Global Warming, or Climate Change one hears wherever one goes.
There are many people who shrug their shoulders and will tell you they do not believe it is true.
There are also people who are more interested in the profits that are to be made during their lives and seem to care less about what happens to the future generations of the Human race. Neither are they worried about what happens to our Fauna and Flora.
I still remember the film Wall-E, that little robot left behind on our planet to clean up the mess we had made. We, fat-like balloons, had been flying in space for over 700 years. As the earth was unhabitable I, personally, am not looking forward to this type of future to tell you the truth.
Global Warming Consequences
On BBC Earth, on the 4th of May 2017, Jasmin Fox-Skelly writes, I would call it hair-raising, an article on Global Warming and some nasty consequences it already has.
Because of the higher temperatures, the ice is melting. Well, you might say, that is not fresh news.
What one normally does not hear about on the news is that in the ice, hidden dangers are lurking in the form of diseases. Bacteria and viruses which had been frozen suddenly coming to life and by doing that present a hazard to human and animal life.
Here comes an example of what happens when in a cold region there comes a heatwave.
In the Siberian tundra, in the Arctic Circle, in the summer of 2016, there was such a heatwave that thawed the permafrost. A small boy died and some 20 more people had to go to the hospital where anthrax was made responsible.
I came across this video recently. It is very disturbing; the clock is ticking.
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The authorities came to the conclusion that it was an infected reindeer that died some 75 years prior and stayed frozen under a layer of soil as the source. When the infected body was defrosted, anthrax came free. It then infiltrated water and soil. It ended up in the food supply and some 2000 grazing reindeer became infected and also this small number of people.
It seems this is a small case compared to much bigger and dangerous possibilities.
In the tundra, scientists have discovered more threatening things like mass graves of people who died from the Spanish flu in 1918. It seems that Smallpox and the bubonic plaque are
some other niceties, frozen there, waiting for the temperature to rise.
Sunset in winter image by Alan Andet
Frozen Bacteria
NASA did a study in 2005 where some scientists revived bacteria that had been frozen in a pond in Alaska. These bacteria were 32.000 years old. I find that a frightening thought. Those “old” bacteria will come and infect us as obviously, our immune system might not be able to cope with them.
These scientists continued to investigate and only 2 years later could revive an 8-million-year old bacterium. Just imagine somebody gets hold of this and uses it as a weapon. Things you see in films now can become real in the near future. What a price to pay for being so reckless.
In this book are many important facts
We have reached the point that probably soon the North Pole will be ice free. This will be the first time in 10.000 years. While the ice is melting, coastal communities worldwide will suffer the consequences.
The writer A. Farewell of this interesting but sobering book shows us what ice means to our planet. You will be offered concrete advice about what you can do. And the urgent measures that need to be taken by the entire world.
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Human Greed and its Consequences
There is another reason to be worried about, it is closely related to human greed.
As the ice disappears, the exposed land becomes more accessible. Mining for gold and minerals, oil, and gas drilling all this industrial exploitation is moving forward.
The question is what all this activity might expose, what hazards it will then present to us, and will we be able to cope with it? At the speed we are going, I think we will not have to wait too long to find out.
Here is one of the many YouTube videos on the melting of the ice.
I think this one is quite spectacular, have a look.
Conclusion
In the month of July 2019, Europe suffered an African heatwave. I live in the south of Spain and 8 km away from the coast. Here it was only around 30C, 86F. Inland Spain and big regions of the North of Spain had days with 44C, 111.2F. They also measured this very high temperature in other European countries.
People died, enormous fires destroying beautiful nature and properties with livestock, all consequences of this unusual heatwave.
Anchorage in Alaska, the state’s largest city sweltered in 32C, 90F on July 4th, shattering the seasonal high of around 24C, 75F.
In Alaska, the ice is melting. In Europe, there are heatwaves that nearly make normal life impossible, especially in the big cities where the contamination lies like a heavy blanket making breathing very difficult. Anybody out there still denying Global Warming?
Before you go away, you might like to look at my page Recommendations. I especially made it for you. It has a collection of things I like and find useful.
Source: BBC Earth and Wikipedia
Photo Source: Pixabay
Perhaps you also like to read the following post. It shows there are some rather unusual solutions for our Planet.
Comments
al
Good article. I find the idea of these prehistoric diseases returning quite terrifying! It would be like the Native Americans being wiped out when the Europeans turned up – but this time on a global scale.
Then again, perhaps this is Nature’s way of cleansing the planet. I read somewhere that the optimal world population is two billion people. When you hit around three or four billion, the planet begins to struggle. Currently, there are over seven billion of us, and there will be ten billion within the next couple of decades! That’s just not sustainable. It’s like trying to pour five gallons of water into a one gallon bottle.
Depressing times…
Taetske
Good Morning Al,
If the riches of the Earth would be fairly distributed there would be enough for all of us, but you are right it might get a bit crowded in the future. Our Planet takes care there will not be too many as we are punished with our own sins. It goes from Clobal warming to GMO’s, pesticides and fracking, you name it, these are all human stupidities. Thank you for your comment,
Regards, Taetske
Shannon
The idea of diseases becoming resurrected with the bodies thawing from ancient times is scary – especially one’s that have been mutated so much that there may be no cure or vaccination before a lot of damage is done.
What are your thoughts on global warming being a natural cyclic warming and cooling of the earth over time, although perhaps accelerated by us?
Taetske
Good afternoon Shannon,
Thank you for visiting my website and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?
It gives a creepy feeling when thinking about all the things hidden in the ice. We do not have a clue what might come to the surface.
Our world has gone through big changes but it would take thousands of years, sometimes millions for it to happen. Since the start of the industrial revolution in 1760 everything has gone so fast. Man-made changes in only a few hundred years. Our doings have a huge impact on the world changing the climate at an alarming speed.
Regards, Taetske
Beauty In A Maze
I wish people would stop denying what’s happening. There’s a reason the seasons have been “strange” for the past few years. The winters are warmer, the hurricanes are worse and animals are ending up in areas that aren’t common for that species. It’s a shame that people seem to have to regard for the future of the planet simply because they’re not going to be here. It’s important to consider there own children and their future grandchildren as well as the ability to grow food.
Taetske
Good afternoon,
I agree with you totally. I also wish people would get their head out of the sand. This ostrich behavior does not make the global warming causing climate change go away. Our future generations might even feel ashamed of our stupid actions.
Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. I hope you have downloaded your free PDF?
Regards, Taetske
Phillip Cowan
It was interesting to read your post. I haven’t really though about the possibility of melting ice because of global warming would release diseases. It’s a different perspective on the dangers of global warming from what we usaually hear from the media and politicians. It was well written too. I felt a tone urgency that we need to do something urgent about stopping global warming or at least stalling it. The videos contributed a lot. Thanks for the link to A Farewell to Ice.
Taetske
Good Morning Phillip,
When you think that because of human stupidity all these things are happening one just wonders how it will end.
It really does not look good. If only all countries could come to an agreement and then fulfill their promise it might not be too late but the clock is ticking. Future generations will have it very difficult to adapt. I live in the south of Spain and inland, places like Sevilla and Cordoba have experienced extreme heatwaves, temperatures up to 45 C
Thank you for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?
Regards, Taetske
Ralph
You know, I want to share experience about the issues in global warming. I lived my whole life in Guam and I noticed the beach that had a land of white sand was gone. Now, it’s covered in shallow water. In the span of ten years, that was a drastic change.
Also, the part about frozen bacteria, that’s scary stuff. You’re right! There are greedy people that might use that as a biological weapon.
It’s like that Keanu Reeves, as long as human exists, the earth will continue to suffer.
Anyways, love your article!
Taetske
Good Morning Ralph,
Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. I hope you have downloaded your free PDF?
You tell me you live in Guam and that over the years you have noticed the beach has disappeared. I live in the south of Spain since 1976 and I have seen the seasons change. From winter it suddenly is summer and then, winter again. Where have spring and autumn gone? I wonder if there is still somebody who denies Climate Change?
You are right, Mother Earth will suffer as long as we are here, a sad fact.
Regards, Taetske
mark kabakov
The topic of global warming is the topic of human survival with daily information about this threat.
Open Google search engine and you will read daily messages on this topic. We can read the UN Basic Report (October 2018) with the program to “reset” CO2 emissions by 2050. Science Daily in its Global Warming News reports on the problems and achievements of this topic.
Of course, a person is concerned, but he is confident in his strength and ability to improve the state of the planet.
The article is interesting and informative. I am grateful to the author for extensive information on this issue. Mark
Taetske
Good Morning Mark,
Thank you for leaving a comment on my website. I hope you have downloaded your free PDF?
It is true we are bombarded every day with the latest news on Global Warming which causes Climate Change, The sad thing is that most people get kind of saturated with it and do not take action. If all countries would reunite and stick to the agreements then we might make it. Looking at the situation how it is now it does not look good.
Regards, Taetske
Harry
I think that you might be overreacting a little… Many scientists claim that the Earth has gone through ice ages and global warmings dozens of times before we even set our foot on it.
I definitely agree that we might be contributing to the overall amount of global warming the Earth is going through right now but it would have probably taken place even if we didn’t exist, maybe in a slower and smoother manner.
Taetske
Good afternoon Harry,
Thank you for your comment. Nice to see you again.
I agree with your statement. Mother Earth has gone through many different cycles of ice age and thaw.
The industrial era started some 200 years ago. With the industrial era, we started burning coal on a massive scale unprecedented when compared to the previous agricultural driven society. There you have the problem.
Never before has our world experienced the rate of increase in CO2 as we are experiencing now. Not in our recorded history, nor in the history written in the ice core of Antartica or Greenland.
Did you notice the widget on the 5G Summit? One more of humans pretty inventions.
Regards, Taetske
Mim Akter
Hi Taetske,
Thank you for sharing this great informational article. It was interesting to read your post. Melting ice because of global warming would release diseases. I felt a tone urgency that we need to do something urgent about stopping global warming or at least stalling it. I will definitely be back to your website for some more of your helpful information on a lot of topics.
Taetske
Good Morning Mim,
I would like to invite you to have a look at the widget save the planet which is under my photo. This is a worldwide movement which could be of big help but under the condition, we all come together.
Below that you will see the 5G Summit. I have signed up as 5G really worries me. On both my websites I have written about EMF and how it affects our health.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget
Regards, Taetske
Henderson
This is a really educative post. The feeling is chilly to hear that bacteria and viruses that have been frozen for so many years can actually resurrect and even be used as weapon. It’s very true that the world is changing and seasons are no longer as they used to be. It’s disturbing but we turn dead hears to them. I hope this prehistoric diseases do not get loose as out systems night not be able to deal with them. Now that I have read this about global warming, I will love to go to your post about the 80 solutions to global warming. Great post
Taetske
Good Morning Henderson,
Thank you for your comment on my website. I hope you downloaded your free PDF?
When you look around there are many things in our world which are not ok. It is time to do something positive. Have a look at the widget below my photo, click on it and read what bUnited is about, it might resonate with you.
Below that widget comes the one on the 5G Summit. I am convinced we are going in the wrong direction and should stop before it is too late. There are solutions but we should all follow the good advice instead of ignoring the warning signs.
Regards, Taetske
Lex
Finally, someone writing about climate change! I’m curious as to what your opinion is of people who don’t believe in climate change. My parents don’t think it’s real and believe there is nothing we should be doing to prevent it. I find it very sad that people can reject science like that. I did not know that the ice carries disease. That’s even more reason to protect the environment. Human greed is toxic towards the environment.
Did you know it’s cheaper to dump chemicals in the ocean than to dispose of them properly? When companies have dangerous chemicals, they usually decide to dump them in rivers and oceans, because the fiend they get are LOWER than the amount of money they would have to spend to dispose of them properly. Many people don’t care for the environment, and it’s really sad.
There’s this German song I love called ‘Schlag Alarm’ which translates to sound the alarms. The chorus roughly translates to “the air gets thin, the ground is already warm sound the alarms sounds the alarms. Does anyone have a plan? The earth trembles, the roof is already in flames. Everything is falling apart, and you did nothing. Sound the alarms” it’s a good song if you like rock/metal. If you wanna check it out, it’s by Jennifer Rockstock, if not that’s fine, the style of music isn’t for everyone. Thank you for spreading awareness about what’s happening!
Taetske
Good Morning Huy,
Personally I think that with our actions since the industrial era started we are speeding up Climate change. In a short time we have caused the ice to melt, which would have taken the earths thousands of years.
My website has many posts on the environment. Like this crazy idea, we export our plastic overseas. Countries like Malaysia and the Philippines have said we do not want your plastic anymore, solve that problem yourself. I will send you the link to a post where you can see me taking part in the Climate Change protest march.
I do not know the song Schlag Alarm but will try to find it on YouTube. Thank you for the tip.
Thank you for your visit and for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.
Regards, Taetske
https://motherearthstreasures.com/plastic-and-participating-in-the-global-climate-strike/
Tony
Wow! I had never heard of bacteria staying in frozen things until it becoming free from being defrosted that’s so crazy and never something that came across my mind when it comes to climate change. It is definitely a dire situation and it will take the world coming together to get anything moving in the right direction. Great article!
Taetske
Good Morning Elizabeth,
Thank you for your visit and for your comment. I hope you downloaded your free PDF? Tulip widget.
You are right, we all have to join so a big change is possible. You might care to look at the sidebar where you see a widget Save the Planet. You might like to join the worldwide movement of bUnited, have a look.
Regards, Taetske
Alan Edwards
Hi Taetske
When i read some of your articles I wonder why our world leaders are not concerting their efforts to address global warming as a top world priority. As a human race we need to quickly change what we are doing. The clock is ticking faster than we know, Alan
Taetske
Good afternoon Alan,
Nice to see you again and thank you for your comment. You remember that going to the tulip widget you can download a free PDF of your choice?
I wish our leaders would spend more time solving this global warming issue but I am afraid that the focus is and will be on the pandemic for a long time. Our world is changing rapidly and the consequences will be huge. These last years due to having 2 websites my world view has changed considerably. One thing is sure I am not happier with all that I discovered. Sometimes I long for my pre-computer years. More ignorant but ever so peaceful.
Regards, Taetske