Notes

https://www.energy.gov/eere/electricvehicles/saving-fuel-and-vehicle-costs (Saving on Fuel and Vehicle Costs)

Most people know about the infamous issue of rising global temperatures; however, few are aware of its main cause: the depletion of sea ice. Melting ice in the Arctic is detrimental to the environment because it accelerates global warming, threatens animals, and amplifies natural disasters. With the approval of federal governments, the combination of a reduction in transportation pollution and the implementation of reflective microspheres can effectively lower temperatures, allowing the ice to freeze again.
Diminishing Arctic sea ice, caused by rising temperatures, further accelerates global warming because heat is trapped in the Earth. Typically, the sun’s heat is reflected by sea ice and out through the atmosphere, which helps maintain a temperature cool enough for humans and animals to live in. However, carbon dioxide emissions from human activities prevent heat from escaping through the atmosphere, warming the Earth and melting glaciers. As the amount of ice in the Arctic decreases, less heat is reflected, which exponentially warms the Earth even more. The burning of fossil fuels is the main cause of carbon dioxide, generating about 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year (MacMillan). If the annual production of emissions stays at the same rate it is today, temperatures in the United States could increase by 6 degrees Celsius before this century’s end (MacMillan). Without Arctic sea ice, heat will continue to warm the earth, even with a reduction in pollution.
The decrease in sea ice also contributes to a loss of habitats and threatens hundreds of Arctic species. In particular, polar bears experience habitat loss, a struggle to find food sources, and uncomfortably warm temperatures as a result. Polar bears in search of food must swim farther and for longer periods, using 60 percent more energy, which significantly reduces their fat stores and limits the duration of their hibernation. Furthermore, fat stores in female polar bears are related to their reproductive ability, meaning less fat can lead to a smaller litter (GreenFacts). A study in 1981 found that both the average polar bear weight and number of cubs born have decreased by about 15 percent within 7 years (GreenFacts). Although the melting of the Arctic is a man-made problem, species and ecosystems around the world will suffer from the effects of warm temperatures and melting ice.
In addition, melting Arctic glaciers cause rising sea levels and intensify both the frequency and severity of natural disasters such as hurricanes. They are formed when moist, warm air rises above the ocean and replaces cooler air, which sinks; the ocean then warms the cool air and causes it to rise, generating more energy as the cycle continues. Since the pre-industrial period, sea ice has decreased by 36.5 percent, sea levels have risen about 22 cm, and the average global temperature has increased by 1.1 degrees Celsius (Pyper). These astonishing changes have caused hurricanes, which are fueled by warm water, to grow stronger in recent years. For instance, Hurricane Harvey, a category 4 hurricane that occurred in 2017, contained winds up to 130 mph and cost $125 billion to repair the infrastructure it damaged (Amadeo). The melting of Arctic sea ice increases both the ocean temperature and sea level, strengthening these natural disasters.
The deployment of reflective microspheres into the Arctic ocean and a reduction in pollution would help cool temperatures and restore sea ice. Invented by the non-profit organization Ice911, the microspheres imitate the reflective ability of ice, deflecting 90% of heat from the sun (Fiekowsky). Furthermore, they are made of silica, which is a biodegradable material naturally found in oceans, meaning they will not contribute to pollution. However, these silica microspheres will only be effective with a reduction in pollution, which will allow the reflected heat to escape through the atmosphere. Because transportation in the U.S. produces 1.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year, an increased use of electric cars would effectively decrease emissions (MacMillan). The application of both the reflective microspheres and electric cars can help slow rising temperatures by increasing Arctic sea ice.
Although possible solutions to the melting of the Arctic have already been found, approval by federal governments is required to successfully implement them. Many people are unaware of the severe consequences posed by the melting ice, including global warming, habitat destruction, and increased severity of natural disasters. Acknowledgement from federal governments will help direct attention to this overlooked issue and advocate for a shift from traditional gas cars to electric cars. As for the silica microspheres, federal governments and donations can fund the implementation of them in the Arctic ocean. The cost of covering 19,000 square feet of ocean with the microspheres is estimated to cost $750 million. With the help of federal governments, electric cars will become more widely used and funding for the reflective microspheres can be provided.
Critics may argue that people will be reluctant to convert to electric cars or that the reflective microspheres are too costly. Although electric cars are often more expensive than gas cars, the price of an eGallon, the fuel for electric cars, is less than half the price of a gallon of gas (Saving on Fuel and Vehicle Costs). This price difference means that electric cars will eventually be cheaper to operate than their gas counterparts, encouraging people to trade cars. Despite the daunting price of deploying the silica microspheres, it is much cheaper than other solutions, which include manually cooling the Arctic using wind powered pumps. Furthermore, sea ice in the Arctic has been reduced by 80% since 1979, meaning no solution will be cheap because of the extensive damage needed to be repaired (Fiekowsky). As the ice continues to melt, the cost of restoring it increases, meaning the sooner these solutions are implemented, the cheaper the price. The mass switch to electric cars and spreading reflective microspheres in the Arctic can be effective in both cooling the Arctic and saving money.
The melting of sea ice in the Arctic promotes consequences including exponentially rising temperatures, the endangerment of animals, and the strengthening of natural disasters. Federal governments’ approval of limiting pollution from transportation and deploying reflective microspheres in the Arctic ocean can prevent these problems from worsening and even reverse their effects. However, these solutions must be implemented soon because the cost of restoring the sea ice increases as time passes. Also, if temperatures continue to increase, the detrimental effects can become permanent in just decades.