Reduce Global Warming, Live Green!

Reducing the Global Warming: Go Green!

Global Warming can’t be completely solved, but we can reduce it. There are many things that are available for us to do in order to reduce the Global Warming and its effects.

One of the actions that currently became very popular and turned into people’s lifestyle is living green. In general, living green means living in ways that are friendly and save to the environment and to the Earth and it usually do with our everyday activities such as reducing the amount of water used in our house whenever we take a shower, wash dishes, wash clothes, wash the car, and water the plants in the garden. We can do it by using a shower instead of a bath tub when we shower, it’s better if we install an energy efficient showerhead to save even more energy, use the dishes washer instead of wash it manually, use washing machines that save more water, wash the car at the car wash instead of washing it by yourself because the car wash saves water, and try to not only use the water we already use for indoor needs to water the plants but we can use the water from the rain to water them.

There’s also many other ways that we can do to live green and here’s the examples:

1.     Switch all the light bulbs inside your house into a compact fluorescent or bulbs that uses less energy. These bulbs are often called LED (Low- Energy Light bulb).

2.     Lower the temperature of your water heater.

3.     Replace old/ used home appliances into the energy- efficient models.

4.     Have more glasses and ventilation in your home so that there will be more light enters your home and that you don’t need to turn the lights on during the day.

5.    Turn all of your electronic devices (television, radio, phones) and unplug the cables before you’re leaving your home or when you’re about to go to bed.

6.     During winter, instead of turning the heater on to keep you warm and comfortable, try put on extra clothing and a heavy blanket.

7.     Dry your clothes in the sun than dry it on the dryer machine.

8.     Use solar panels that can be placed on the roof of your house to replace some amount of electricity that you usually use for the electricity needs in you house such as for the water heater.

9.     The last thing that you can do is for you to become a vegetarian. By doing this you will not only contribute to save the environment by reducing the amount of gas emissions but you can also gain many health benefits.

Living green does can also be done at your house only, but it can also be done outside from it. Here are some examples of things you can do to keep living green outside your house:

1.     Buy products that its packaging are made of 100% recycled papers or buy products that its packaging’s paper can be recycled.

2.     Change the air filters of your car every moth to reduce your car’s carbon emissions.

3.     Buy organic foods (vegetables) instead of those who use chemicals to grow. Even though the condition of the foods aren’t as good as the chemical ones, the organic ones are sure more healthy for you and for the earth as it doesn’t use any chemicals that are harmful for the earth to grow.

4.     Buy local products to re-stock our daily needs such as vegetables, fish, fruits, and wheat at the local markets. By this, we can help the local farmers and indirectly help to reduce fuel consumption to transfer the products to the bigger markets.

5.     Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag while you’re shopping instead of the plastic given by the markets.

6.     Choose and buy products that use less material for the packaging.

7.     Make your garden greener by planting more trees in your garden to produce more oxygen.

                                                
                                                        Plants in Polar Climate
Polar climate or Artic tundra is located on latitudes between 50 and 70 degrees north. The land that usually in there is treeless and frozen below three feet down. The temperature is very cold and dark because in the region, the night last for weeks and the temperature can be up to -98 degree Fahrenheit and the average of the temperature is about -30 degree Fahrenheit. During the summer, the sun shines all day with the temperature about 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Which there’s possibility for a plant to grow in that area? Because of harsh and cold condition, there’s barely support for plants to grow. Even there are some existed plants, there are only some plants lived in there such as mosses, algae, and more. Compared to other country, there are only 1400 existed species of plants with 400 flowers grown. Here’s are some plants grows in polar area :

Artic Willow

Genus: Salix
Species:  Artica
Salix Arctica is 15-20 cm in height. It has many different shapes, but sometimes has long trailing branches that root where they touch the surface. Rock willows/Arctic willows grow prostrate, shrub, and carpet. The leaves are oval shaped with pointed tips, wedge shaped bottoms, and have little stalks. These leaves are 15-50 mm in length. The leaves are dark green on the bottom and a lighter green on the top. They have net like veins and long hairs that cover their leaves. The flowers of the Salix arctica are upright scaly spikes that are unisexual flowers with no petals. The Salix arctica blooms in the spring. They are 5 cm and are dark brown or sparkling pink. There's no fruit on the plant, only seeds. There are no taproots on this plant. The lateral roots are shallow due to the frozen ground underneath the permafrost.
Salix arctica has made many adaptations to the cold climate of the North American tundra. In its strongest growth season the Salix arctica forms a pesticide to keep insects like the Arctic woolly bear away. It has also adapted to the permafrost by growing a shallow root system. The leaves of the Salix arctica have also adapted to the cold weather by growing long fuzzy hairs.

Artic Poppy

This flowers can grow up to 25 cm and similar to sunflowers. This plan name has heliotropic meaning in which it turns its face facing the sunlight so that the insects attracted to the center of the flowers. It has two different color such as white and yellow.  This type of plants is rare to find and very and uncommon globally. This plant can be found in Artic areas. It is most common in Canada or Nunavut. But, to find these plants, you have to go to high places in mountains or rocky high plains because the stone absorb light from the sun and provide moist shelter for the roots. This plant can be also found in dry rivers.
Don’t get it wrong just because it is a beautiful plant doesn’t mean that it is safe. The poisons were spread to our body when the plant was ingested. But don’t worry, the poisons contains from the plants is low. So, it doesn’t take big effect to our body.

Bearberry

Genus: Arctostaphylos
Species: uva-ursi
Bearberry has five petals which is white and pale pink and blooms between May and June.  This plant was covered with silky hair to protect the plants and to make it warms.  From the name, it’s obvious that these plants are the bear’s favorite foods.  The leaves of the plants used to make herbal medicines. Bearberry usually grows in non – nutrient soils such as soils, sands, etc. There are many places which Bearberries s is available such as in Alaska, Greenland, Iceland. Not only in polar area, there are some countries such as Northern California, Northern Eurasia, etc.
Not just bear foods, this plan also very useful for us to use. Each of the part of the plan has its own function. The fruits were safe to eat and cooked with another food. While the roots of the plan usually used for make a tea which able to slowly cure coughs. While the leaf are used to added into the tobacco. Tea which made from leaves, were able to cure bladders problem and some diseases.

Artic Moss

Genus: Calliergon
Species: Giganteum
If you want to compare an animal to this plan, it would be a turtle.
These plans grow in a harsh environment of tundra which is located between Artic circles and grows in freshwater artic lakes and in fens.
This plan growing very slowly and grow only 1 cm per year and only have tiny leaves, and usually only one cell thick. They do not have flowers. This plant even holds as slowest growing, lived long freshwater macrophytes ever recorded.  Some causes of these long-lived plants are the result of short growing seasons. They adapted themselves by storing nutrient.  This plan can adapt with their surroundings, they store nutrients which later leaves will be produced. Because this plant can grow underwater, they’re protected from winds, dry air, and frozen tundra.
There are some uses of Artic Moss: The leaves was used to warmth the grounds to allow plants to grow

 Saxifrage

Genus: Saxifrage
Species:  Saxifraga
Saxifrage comes from the Latin word “rock breaker”.
These plants are small plants which grow in thick mass of tundra. The stem of the plants is straight and grows between 3 cm - 15 cm. The leaves of the plants were gathered in that area which the flowers grow and grow between 3 cm-5 cm. The flowers exactly look like star which have five sides. In other word, the flower has five petals. Surprisingly, despite its small size, it can hold many small seeds.
The saxifrage likes cool weather because there are well-developed root underground which able to respond quickly to the cool weather of tundra.  This plan can be found in rocky slopes of cold weathered places, Alaska to Olympic Mountains, and Northwest Oregon.
Yr: 2000

Problems in Polar Climate

Problems in Polar climate

Now that our earth has warmed approximately 1°F in the last 50 years, there were some effect, some are these; according to the National Assessment Synthesis Team, Alaska has warmed about 4°F.

 

Ice and Glaciers

 There was this record when the amount of Arctic sea ice in September 2005 (an area twice the size of Texas) has melted. Between 1961 and 1998, Alaska lost over 588 billion cubic yards of ice mass. In south Alaska, the amount of ice surface decreased over 95%. In 52 years time, as much as 640 m (about 2.100 feet) glaciers were thinning.

 

Animals

 It’s whether on ice, water, or either land, animals in Alaska, have experienced due to the global warming. Polar bears survive on sea ice, including resting, feeding, and mating. Polar bears have experience less sea ice for their habitat. The amount of polar bears populations were estimated as high as 5.000 bears, then 1.800, and now it’s believed to be 1.526 bears.

Bibliography:

Unknown author, Impacts of Global Warming in Alaska, last update: February 16 2007, 8:13 pm

Available at: http://www.eoearth.org/article/Impacts_of_global_warming_in_Alaska

Made by: Nur Intan Ramadhania B

Polar Animals

Arctic Terns:

The Arctic Terns have huge beaks; they have thick feathers to keep them warm in polar climate. Arctic Terns eat animals like fish. In the summer, these birds can eat enough to grow twice their size. 

Arctic Hares:

The Arctic Hares look similar to rabbits, but Arctic Hares are usually bigger and their fur changes colors. During the winter their fur is white, but it can change into a blue-gray or brown color in the summer. They have very big feet to help them move quickly across the snow and strong claws to dig for food. The Arctic Hares eat berries, twigs and plants.

Emperor Penguins: The Emperor Penguins are birds that can’t fly. They can swim. Penguins eat fish, and can hold their breath under water for about 18 minutes.

  

Musk Oxen: musk ox is a huge animal that have a stinky, musky smell and that is why they are called “Musk Ox”. Musky smell smells like onion and sweaty socks. Musk Oxen travel in groups called herds. They eat grass, shrubs and other plants, no meat. Their long thick hair keeps them warm in the cold climate.

Polar Bears: Polar bears have fur that is white, but it’s actually clear. The color of their fur makes it easy for the heat from the sun to stay trapped close to their bodies and keeping them warm. The Polar bears are good swimmers and eat big blubbery animals like seals.

                                                          

Snowy Owls: Snowy male owls are mostly white and the female owls are covered with dark spots. Their fluffy feathers cover their whole body, even their feet. It helps them fell warm in an extreme cold climate. These owls eat mice and fish. 

Humpback Whales: The Humpback whales may live in the water but they breathe oxygen to live like humans do. When they need air, it comes to the surface and breathes through its big blowhole on its head. These whales do not live in Antarctica all the time, but they travel to Antarctica to find food. They eat fish and squid.

White Foxes: The white foxes have special feet that help them walk in the snow without making any sound and staying steady. They also have large, thick tails they use to wrap around themselves like a blanket. Arctic foxes mostly eat mice and birds, but they’ll also eat berries.

Weatherchannelkids, 2012, polar climate animals, available at: http://theweatherchannelkids.com/climate-code/be-eco-friendly-for-the-animals/polar-climate/ (last opened 25/5/12)

Made by: Natasha Suhendar

Polar climate, polar countries and its characteristics.

Polar Climate

This climate is also known as the tundra type of climate and it is experienced in the polar regions. This climate is characterized by a long season of severe winter and even the summer season is cold. The precipitation is very low, generally below 30 cm. and due to low temperatures the vegetation is practically missing. Only during the short summer season some very lowly plants may grow only in the areas away from the polar ice caps. These regions are known for blizzards, high velocity winds carrying ice particles with them. These regions are called the cold deserts and they occupy areas of the Arctic margins of North America and Eurasia and the Antarctic continent.

What Countries Are in the Polar Zone?

By Larry Rivers, eHow Contributor

The Polar Regions, or frigid zones, are the geographic regions surrounding both of the Earth's poles. With the North Pole as its center, the Arctic Polar Zone extends from the pole south to the timberline, or approximately 60 degrees north latitude. The Antarctic Polar Zone extends from the South Pole to 60 degrees south latitude.

 

Arctic Polar Zone

•                When defining the Arctic Polar Zone as extending from the North Pole to the timberline, or the edge of habitat where trees can grow, several countries can claim they are wholly or partially located in the zone. They are Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Greenland, Iceland, Canada and the United States (Alaska).



Antarctic Polar Zone

•                When defined as the region extending from the South Pole to 60 degrees south latitude, no permanent human settlements are in the Antarctic Polar Zone. As such, no countries can claim they are part of the Antarctic Polar Zone.



Iceland

•                The majority of Iceland lies below the Arctic Polar Zone, leaving only its northernmost isle of Grimsy in the Arctic.



Russia

•                Russia contains the longest coastline in the Arctic Polar Zone, as well as the most square mileage. Its northernmost border lies almost entirely within the zone, which extends from Siberia to Russia's border with Europe. In recent years, Russia has committed more resources to developing its Arctic assets than any other polar zone nation.



Sweden

•                Sweden's arctic lands include portions Lapland, Norbotten and Sampi, which play host to international Arctic races, extreme backpacking and camping adventures and are home to Sweden's two Arctic Army regiments.



Finland

•                Located to the west of Sweden, Finland's Arctic lands include portions of Lapland and Sampi. Finland leads the way with the other Arctic countries to resume trading and political cooperation to save the Arctic after the Cold War in the early 1990s.



Norway

•                Norway's Arctic lands include Svalbard, Jan Mayen and Finnmark, which share a rich history of Viking rule and Arctic research. Norwegian universities in Tromsø, Trondheim, Bergen and Oslo have banded with the Norwegian Polar Research Institute and the Institute of Marine Research to further their knowledge of the Arctic waters and life on land.



Denmark

•                Denmark's claim to Arctic lands includes its island Greenland. Hans Egede, a Danish explorer, claimed the island in the early 18th century. Greenland also contains Gunnbjørn Fjeld, the highest point in the Arctic Polar Zone.



Canada

•                Canada's Yukon, Nunavit and Northwest territories, collectively known as the Far North, lie within the Arctic Polar Zone. Canada's population is concentrated almost entirely in its southern half, so the Far North contains few cities and a sparse population.



United States

•                The U.S.'s claim to Arctic territory lies only in its northernmost state, Alaska. Known for its wildlife, gold and oil reserves, Alaska provides much of American's domestic oil production, and is relatively sparsely populated



 

Information on the Polar Zone

•       By Kara Rae, eHow Contributor

•       Snow is always present in the polar zones

•      Polar zones are located near the planet's poles and include the continent of Antarctica in the south and Northern Canada, Alaska, Siberia, Greenland and the arctic ice caps in the north. Polar zones are some of the most inhospitable regions on Earth.

Types

•                The two types of climates in the polar zone are tundra and ice cap. Temperatures in the tundra can rise above freezing, but not in the ice cap climate.



Features

•                Polar zones have a constant terrain of snow and ice combined with dry air. No trees exist in the polar zone; the area receives very little precipitation. The South Pole is subjected to strong winds.

Considerations

•                The polar zones experience periods of 24 hours of perpetual sunlight during summer months and 24 hours of perpetual darkness in winter months.



Function

•                The south polar zone is home to emperor penguins and a few scattered researchers. The North Pole has small plants, caribou and polar bears. Tribes of indigenous people, including the Inuit, inhabit the north polar zone.



Fun Fact

•                The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -88 degrees C (-126 degrees F) in Antarctica.

 

Ehow, 2012. Things polar zone, available at: http://www.ehow.com/info_8113346_things-polar-zone.html (last opened 25/5/12)

Made by: Kintan Anjani Adikusumo